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A Kilifi court has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Mwakonde Mwadzala, a 55-year-old man, for repeatedly defiling a 12-year-old boy.
Kaloleni Principal Magistrate Lewis Gatheru reached this decision after the prosecution convincingly established the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The evidence revealed that Mwadzala, unrelated to the boy, exploited financial incentives to lure him into a cycle of abuse.
The situation came to light when the boy’s mother observed significant changes in his behavior, leading her to uncover evidence of the sexual assaults occurring in their home.
The prosecution presented four reliable witnesses, and the magistrate noted that their testimonies were consistent and supported by additional evidence introduced during the trial.
Medical assessments indicated that the child had experienced severe psychological trauma as a result of the abuse. However, the prosecution did not provide further physical evidence that could have intensified the charges.
Mwadzala faced charges under Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, No. 3 of 2006, and the court convicted him based on Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
During the sentencing phase, the court acknowledged Mwadzala’s lack of a prior criminal record, treating him as a first offender.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, he continued to deny the allegations throughout the trial.
Magistrate Gatheru emphasized the gravity of the offense, highlighting how Mwadzala manipulated the child’s vulnerability through deceit, financial inducements, and misplaced trust.
The court underscored the stringent penalties prescribed by law for the defilement of children, finding no justification for a reduced sentence.
Consequently, Mwadzala received a 20-year prison sentence, with the court considering the time he had already spent in custody per Section 333(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
As a result, he will serve a total of 19 years and three months from the date of sentencing.
