Kitale woman jailed for having sex with 17-year-old

A 26-year-old woman was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by a Kitale law court for defiling a 17-year-old minor.

Jane Gichuhi was accused of intentionally defiling a 17-year-old Form 3 student on diverse dates between April 26, 2015 and May 11, 2015 at Machinjoni area in Trans Nzoia County.

According to the complaint, who is a student at Friends Bwake Secondary school in Kitale town, the accused lured him into the sexual acts after befriending him.

In her mitigation, the accused pleaded for leniency saying she is sickly and also a mother to a young child.

Ms Gichuhi further told the court that she is the sole breadwinner of her family adding that she has a lot of debts which she needs to settle.

However, Kitale Resident Magistrate Grace Sitati found that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed an act that caused penetration with a child.

“Mitigation is considered, however, in view of the limitation in sentencing under section 8 (4) sexual offense act is that I must meet down the minimum sentence or above. Doing the best I can I do is to sentence the accused for 15 years imprisonment. Has a right of appeal within 14 days,” ruled Magistrate Sitati.