A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of defiling a 12-year-old girl in Baringo County.

The accused, Kimosop Rutto, appeared before Kabarnet Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Edwin Mulochi.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Rutto was found guilty of two counts, defilement and committing an indecent act with a child contrary to the law.

“He was found guilty of defilement, contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, by the Kabarnet Law Courts,” the ODPP stated.

“He also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child, contrary to Section 11(1) of the same Act.”

During the hearing, the court heard that the accused intentionally and unlawfully committed the heinous act against the minor on June 1, 2023, at her home in Koibour Village, Koitilion Sub-location within Ewalel Soi Location.

The prosecution, through Rebecca Bartilol, presented five witnesses whose consistent and credible testimonies the ODPP said proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, culminating in the conviction.

Magistrate Mulochi slapped the accused with the sentence in his judgement, underscoring the gravity of the offence and its lasting impact on the victim.

He also emphasized the importance of imposing stringent penalties to deter such crimes and referenced Article 53(1)(d) of the Constitution, which mandates the protection of children from abuse.