Narok: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) in Narok County has raised concern over increasing cases of defilement and called for concerted efforts to reduce the vice. Narok County ODPP in charge, Gitonga Muranga, observed that most of the cases they are prosecuting in court are defilement cases, warning the society to take care of young children and especially the ‘girl child’ as they are the most affected.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muranga lamented that adults and relatives who are supposed to protect the young girls are mostly the culprits of defilement. He urged parents to protect their children against any form of harm and to be careful with the adults they entrust with the care of their young children. Muranga cited a recent case currently ongoing in court, where a seven-year-old girl was allegedly defiled by an uncle, emphasizing the unfortunate reality that those meant to protect children often pose the greatest threat.
Muranga warned offenders that they risk stern punishment, including life imprisonment, for preying on minors. He stated that the ODPP office would continue to educate the public on the severe consequences of defilement through weekly radio shows on local stations, engaging with citizens via phone-in calls to reduce the cases in the county. He expressed confidence that defilement cases could decrease to less than 10 percent if stakeholders collaborate to safeguard the girl child.
According to statistics from the Kenya Health Demographic Survey (KHDS), cases of defilement have decreased from 40 percent in 2014 to 28 percent in 2022. Narok governor Patrick Ntutu, speaking at a past function in Morijo market, Loita area, vowed not to protect any man who defiles a young girl, as they are ruining the future of such girls. He committed to working with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to arrest and prosecute men who defile girls.
Governor Ntutu warned men against marrying girls below 18 years old and assured them of punishment for such crimes. He emphasized the importance of protecting girls to ensure they have a bright future and encouraged them to concentrate on schooling. Ntutu highlighted the importance of education, noting that his administration had released Sh450 million in bursaries to support needy and vulnerable children, ensuring that all children can attend school.