This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
Published on June 6, 2020, human rights groups in Uasin Gishu County have sounded the alarm over a worrying trend of defilement cases.
At least 20 cases have been reported over the past three weeks, with Centre for Human Rights and Mediation (CHRM) and Centre Against Torture (CAT) expressing concern over the increasing trend, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.
The lobbyists have criticized the use of home-based solutions presided over by chiefs, claiming that administrators are setting perpetrators free for crimes committed against minors.
"What is more worrying is the growing number of defilement cases committed by government officers," said CHRM Director Nick Omitto.
Mr. Omitto noted that the human rights centre is seeking justice for three minors defiled by assistant chiefs and two others defiled by teachers.
"It is shocking that those charged with protection of children are sex predators. We used to deal with an average of two cases a month but in April the defilement cases rose to an average of five," he said.
Centre Against Torture Director Kimutai Kirui also took issue with chiefs for protecting sex offenders by acting as mediators, stating that more than 20 young girls have been defiled and impregnated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We have received ten cases of defilement in the past one month. Many cases are going unreported because those who should be protecting the minors are not helping them in their quest for justice," Kirui said.
