Former deputy head teacher slapped with 28 years in jail for defilement
Central
By
Gitau Wanyoike
| Feb 01, 2026
A Thika court has sentenced a former deputy head teacher to 28 years’ imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old girl, bringing to an end a year-long manhunt after the convict went into hiding.
The long arm of the law finally caught up with John Kamau, who was arrested on January 23 at his hideout in Maragua, Murang’a County. He had been convicted in absentia on December 3, 2025, over the defilement of the minor, an offence committed in 2023.
Following his arrest, Kamau was presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Nabibya on Monday, who deferred the matter to the original trial court for mention and confirmation of sentence. The case was subsequently placed before Resident Magistrate Evangelista Kithinji on Tuesday.
The former teacher at a private school in Thika had already been convicted and sentenced in absentia by Senior Resident Magistrate Diana Milimu, after absconding in February 2025, prompting the issuance of warrants of arrest.
Kamau told the court that he travelled to Machakos, where he contemplated suicide. He claimed he later met a Good Samaritan who took him to Ciakariga in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi, where he was employed as a curriculum coordinator at a private school.
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He further alleged that illness prevented him from attending court on the judgment day.
However, the court dismissed the explanation, noting that the accused had failed to attend court on several occasions and had offered no mitigation at the time of sentencing.
The court observed that Kamau had been at large since February 27, last year, and that if he was indeed unwell as claimed, he could easily have communicated with the court or security agencies.
“In the court’s view, the accused is merely clutching at straws. The sentence imposed on December 3, 2025, is hereby upheld and shall take effect immediately. The accused shall serve 28 years’ imprisonment, a sentence this court finds lawful and justified,” ruled Kithinji.
Kamau was charged in 2023 for defiling the minor between April and October 2023, at a private school within Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County.
During the trial, the Form Three student gave chilling testimony detailing how Kamau used his private office to isolate her during the 11 am break.
She narrated how he defiled her on several occasions and gave her pills.
“I later confided in a trusted friend, who connected me to a teacher. She encouraged me to tell my parents. That is when we reported the matter and I was taken for medical examination,” she told the court.
The victim’s mother gave an emotional testimony, telling the court that her daughter became withdrawn and her academic performance deteriorated.
“She kept to herself, stayed in her bedroom, and dropped in her academics. She is not the girl we used to know. We have taken her for counselling, but she is still struggling,” she testified.
During cross-examination, Kamau admitted he did not possess a Teachers Service Commission number, despite teaching for over 10 years.