The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured convictions against a restaurant operator and his bodaboda friend after a Kilifi court found them guilty of trafficking a minor for sexual exploitation.
In a statement issued on Monday April 13, the DPP stated that Stephen Changawa Kahindi alias Kitsonyole and Stephen Katana Menza, will each pay Ksh. 30 million in fines after Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike of Kilifi High court found them guilty of trafficking a 14-year-old girl for sexual exploitation.
DPP further noted that the duo will automatically serve a 30-year jail term if they fail to pay the required fines.
“Kahindi was handed a further three-year sentence after he was found guilty of conspiring to defeat justice and interference with witnesses, contrary to Section 117 of the Penal Code. Menza was also separately sentenced to 20 years following his conviction for defilement contrary to section 8 (l) read with sub-Section (2) of the sexual offences Act No. 3 of 2006,” the DPP said.
“He was also sentenced to a further five years after being convicted of threatening to kill contrary to Section 223(1) of the Penal Code, where he brandished a knife and told the minor to remain silent or he would kill her during the ordeal,” DPP added.
The offence was committed on diverse dates between 7th February 2024 and 10th July 2024 at Mwahera location in Ganze Sub County within Kilifi County.
According to the DPP, Menza will commence his jail term from 25th March 2026, while Kahindi will begin serving his time from 22nd July 2024, the period they were remanded in custody.
Court heard that Kahindi, a hotel operator based in Ganze, lured the minor from her parents with the promise of education and employment, before handing her over to Menza in exchange of Ksh. 1000. Menza then transported the minor on her motorbike to Dzifahe where she was abused.
Hon. Wasike ordered that the victim continues receiving psychosocial support to aid her recovery from trauma and be linked to vocational and skills training to help rebuild her life.
