A Kilifi pastor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a court found him guilty of defiling his 15-year-old cousin on two separate occasions and fathering her child. DNA evidence presented during the trial placed the probability of him being the child’s biological father at 99.9 per cent.
Highlights
- The pastor was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
- The victim was 15 when the offences occurred.
- The court heard that the girl was defiled on two separate occasions.
- DNA analysis placed a 99.9 per cent probability of paternity.
- The convict has 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Main Story
Court Convicts Kilifi Pastor
A court in Kilifi has sentenced a pastor to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of defiling his 15-year-old cousin.
The offences were committed on separate dates between June 2023 and February 2024.
The case came to light after the teenager became pregnant. Her mother reported the matter to police, leading to medical examinations that confirmed the pregnancy.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said DNA testing later provided evidence linking the pastor to the pregnancy.
A government analyst testified that there was a 99.9 per cent probability that the pastor was the biological father of the child.
Teen Describes How She Was Lured
During the trial, the girl told the court that the accused was both her cousin and a pastor at the church she attended.
She said the pastor initially invited her to his home to take part in fasting and prayers, which he described as an effort aimed at spiritual cleansing.
The teenager agreed to go, believing she was participating in a religious activity.
According to her testimony, she later wanted to return home to have her hair done. However, the pastor persuaded her to stay at his home and have it done there.
She had supper and slept in a room where the pastor’s two children were also staying.
First Incident
The girl told the court that she was later awakened when the pastor and his wife entered the room.
She testified that the pastor’s wife prevented her from raising an alarm while the pastor sexually assaulted her.
The pastor allegedly warned her against telling anyone what had happened.
She returned home the following morning but kept the incident to herself because of the alleged threats and trauma.
Second Incident
About two weeks later, the teenager said the pastor approached her again and convinced her to return to his home for another period of prayer and fasting.
He allegedly told her that the prayers were necessary after claiming to have received a vision warning that she could eventually marry someone who was not a Christian.
The girl said they initially prayed and fasted at the church before she and another girl were invited to the pastor’s home for evening tea.
The other girl was later sent home, leaving the complainant behind for what the pastor described as special prayers during the night.
The court heard that the second incident occurred while the teenager was asleep in the same room as the pastor’s children.
Pastor’s Defence Rejected
During the proceedings, the accused initially denied the allegations.
He later admitted having sexual intercourse with the teenager but claimed that he had been coerced and said he did not know she was underage.
Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki rejected the explanation, describing the defence as baseless and an afterthought.
The court found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
30-Year Sentence
The pastor was convicted under Section 8(1), read together with Section 8(3), of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006.
Delivering his judgment, Chief Magistrate Mwaniki found that the prosecution had established the main charge and that the accused had no lawful justification for his actions.
He subsequently sentenced the pastor to 30 years in prison.
The court also informed him of his right to challenge both the conviction and sentence.
He has 14 days within which to lodge an appeal.
The case is a stark reminder of the responsibility adults especially those entrusted with spiritual and community leadership have to protect children from harm.
