A court in Kwale has handed a 30-year prison sentence to a middle-aged man found guilty of repeatedly defiling his 12-year-old stepdaughter, marking a major victory in the fight against sexual offences targeting minors.
The Kwale Law Courts resident Magistrate, Hon. Ruth Ogolla convicted Mangisi Chaka Mangisi of defilement contrary to section 8(1) as read with section (2) of the sexual offences Act, 2006. Mangisi was also found guilty of committing an indecent act with a child, which is contrary to section 11(1) of the same act.
Magistrate Ogolla ruled that the prosecution had presented “watertight evidence” which left no doubt as to the accused’s guilt. She also noted that the five prosecution witnesses had given consistent and credible testimonials, warranting both conviction and sentencing.
The named offences occurred in April 2021 and November 2022 in Kayawaa village, Waa location, Matuga sub-county, Kwale County. The abuse was made known on January 4th 2023, when the victim narrated the affliction to her guardian, prompting an immediate police intervention.
Following the report, the victim was taken to Kwale Sub-county Hospital for medical examination, where a P3 form was used as part of the evidence of the abuse.
Thorough investigations led the police officers together with the victim and her guardian to Mwamose village in Lungalunga on the 13th of January 2023, where statements from key witnesses who corroborated the child’s, account were recorded.
Mangisi was arrested on the 22nd of January 2023, and subsequently charged in court. Collins Orwa, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, together with Prosecution Counsel Mahdy Twalib successfully led the prosecution, securing the conviction.
The court’s decision has been applauded for a strong statement against sexual violence, calling to action the commitment of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to pursue justice for vulnerable victims and ensuring that the culprits face the full force of the law.
