Man to serve 40 years in jail for defiling and impregnating daughter in Soweto

“Justice has been served. It’s been a long and painful journey, but today, we feel that something has been done. I hope this sentence sends a strong message to anyone who thinks they can get away with such crimes,” said Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Gender Case Worker.

SHOFCO picked up the victim’s case in April 2024 after it was reported by a neighbor.

“The neighbor noticed that the 13-year-old girl was exhibiting pregnancy signs and told her mother. When the girl confessed who was responsible, the neighbors and us arrested him and took him to Lang’ata Police Station.

“The wheels of justice may be slow, but justice has been served in the end,” the case worker  said.

SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede also weighed in on the matter.

“While this conviction is a victory, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that every survivor of sexual violence receives the support they deserve.

“We need more resources for survivors and better policies to protect our children. The private sector like ourselves can help to an extend, but we need to see the government putting more effort to contain surging GBV cases in the country,” Dr. Odede said.

He added: "Victims of defilement often face stigma, and many are pressured to drop their cases. But through organizations like SHOFCO, we help victims understand that they are not alone. This case is proof that justice is possible when survivors have the support they need.”

The survivor delivered a baby and was processed for adoption at Directorate of Children Services (DCS).

“The victim did not want to see the baby. She was highly affected mentally. Through counselling, she finally agreed to hold the baby.

“I want to thank SHOFCO for helping us throughout this journey. It involves a lot and we will not have managed it on our own,” the victim’s aunt said.

The victim’s mother was chased away by the perpetrator’s relatives who claimed “she wanted to jail their son”.

“The mother of the victim endured a lot and was afraid to speak. The perpetrator defiled her daughter repeatedly in her presence. She has since relocated to upcountry after her husband was arrested and his relatives became violent,” the relative added.

The victim, whose life was turned upside down by the abuse, is now receiving ongoing support from SHOFCO.

The organisation provides psychological counseling, medical care, and legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence, and has been instrumental in supporting the young girl throughout the process.

"This case is a reminder of the importance of supporting victims of defilement, not just during the trial but throughout the healing process.

"The trauma that this young girl has faced is not just physical but emotional, and she needs a lot of care to rebuild her live," Snr Psycho-social Counselor at SHOFCO, said.

In addition to providing psycosocial services, SHOFCO worked closely with local authorities and the court to ensure that justice was served.

“With the support of the SHOFCO legal team we were able to prosecute the case to the end because we believe in getting justice for the affected. This is just one case of the many we are working on.

“It's important for communities to step forward, report cases, and provide support. No child should go through this alone,” said Angela Ng’etich, Project Director at SHOFCO.

The ruling has been hailed by many as an important step in the ongoing battle against sexual violence in Kenya.

“We can’t rest until every child is safe from harm. Our work continues, and we remain committed to supporting survivors as they heal,” the SHOFCO founder stated.