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Residents demand arrest of church elder accused of defiling 14-year-old pupil


Residents of a village in Runyenjes constituency in Embu County are demanding the immediate arrest of a 45-year-old man they accuse of defiling a 14-year-old class eight pupil.

The man is a local church leader and a neighbor to the victim.

The suspect is alleged to have defiled the minor on Tuesday 23 May in a banana plantation.

It is suspected he lured the girl into his car to drop her home and defiled her in a plantation near their home.

According to the minor’s father, Daniel Njue, the suspect, who is well known to the community, gave the girl Sh200 to buy her silence.

“I met her as she was coming home, she was crying and when asked her what had happened she narrated to me her ordeal and showed me the money she was given by the suspect,” said Njue.

OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT

Residents and area activists claim that the case was first reported to the Nyumba Kumi officials as is the norm in the villages.

They claim that Nyumba Kumi officials have been colluding with the local administration to advocate for negotiations to settle the matter.

“We are aware of delays and interference from other sources, we will not let this happen as a minor has no authority to make decisions,” said activist Taratisio Kawe.

The suspect is said to have run away from his home after a botched attempt to settle the matter out of court.

Cathlyn Njue, a child rights activist, called on the police to fast track investigations and arrest the suspect.

“This is not the first defilement case, last month we had a similar case in Kangondu village where a minor was defiled and killed,” said Ms Njue.

Ms Njue further urged the members of the community to desist from hiding suspects and volunteer any useful information to the relevant authorities.

INVESTIGATIONS

She condemned the incident but urged members of the community to spare the church and let the suspect carry his own cross as an individual.

“This is not the church that has committed the vice but rather an individual, let’s not tag the church along, he is just a member and an elder of the church,” she said.

She however called on the church not to shy away from addressing such issues.

The suspect is said to have run away from his home after a botched attempt to settle the matter out of court.

While speaking on phone Runyenjes Officer Commanding Police Division Paul Muchemi confirmed that the incident was reported.

The OCPD said that the police are at the tail end of the investigations and the suspect will be arrested and charged immediately investigations are complete.