Leaders protest release of man who allegedly defiled minor

Women leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet County have expressed their disappointment over an incident, in which a middle-aged man who had attempted to defile a 10-year old girl for the second time last week in Katumoi village in Soy south ward, and had been arrested, returned to the village within days.

The leaders are accusing one of the local administrators of having influenced the release of the suspect from police custody.

Speaking to Chamgei FM, the leaders led by nominated MCA Faith Jepkosgei Chepkairor and Chepkorio ward MCA Tecla Jerotich Kibet said that the accused person who is said to have defiled the girl last year and had attempted to defile her again had been suspiciously released.

They said that the same person to the girl’s mother and demanded that he be allowed to marry her saying he would kill himself and the girl if denied.

“It is very unfortunate for what the leader who should have been protecting the rights of vulnerable groups is doing. We are going to follow up strictly until the girl is accorded justice because this sets  a trend that may be unhealthy to the social fabric of the society,”said Chepkairor.

The leaders said that  they have already taken the girl and the mother to a ssafe place away from the man who had threatened to kill them as they pursue the due process of getting justice for the family.

The area has lately experienced a rising cases of some men attempting to defile or rape women and girls.

Just last week a 29-year old man was arrested in Bukon village in Kapkosom sub-location after he raped a woman.