Busia: Busia county Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti has issued a stern warning to residents against engaging in private negotiations concerning defilement cases. Speaking at the launch of the National Children Service month at Busia Polytechnic ground, Nyaloti emphasized the necessity of reporting such cases to the police and ensuring suspects face prosecution in court.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nyaloti highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that once suspects are convicted, they will face harsh sentences as per the sexual offences Act. She urged the community to protect themselves and resist intimidation from perpetrators. Alarmingly, the magistrate revealed that defilement cases are on the rise in Busia County, with victims as young as nine months old.
Nyaloti expressed concern over instances where parents intimidate victims into withholding the truth in court, despite medical evidence of defilement. She also pointed out that perpetrators are often close relatives of the victims. Additional
ly, she addressed the issue of adolescent girls forcing younger boys into intimate situations, stressing that such acts should lead to prosecution.
The magistrate further noted that witnesses are frequently bribed with gifts and money to prevent them from testifying. The proximity to Uganda exacerbates the issue, as some witnesses flee across the border, hindering case resolution. Nyaloti called on local residents to cooperate with judicial officers and discouraged sending children on errands late at night or allowing “disco matanga” events.
Busia Sub County Children’s Officer Patrick Mukolwe reported that the county receives around ten defilement and physical abuse cases weekly. He echoed concerns about community-level coaching of victims to suppress the truth in court and mentioned delays in reporting, which compromise evidence. Mukolwe stressed the need for financial support for victims from vulnerable backgrounds to facilitate court appearances.
To address cross-border challenges, Mukolwe proposed esta
blishing a joint committee to ensure suspects and witnesses who flee to Uganda are returned for prosecution.