Defiled, Denied, Still Waiting
Kwale County has been grappling with a series of shocking crimes against young girls, leaving families heartbroken and desperate for justice. The incidents of defilement and assault have caused deep suffering and trauma, often perpetrated by those who should be trusted—friends, neighbors, and service providers.
The accounts of these survivors tell a story of a long and challenging path toward justice. For many, seeking justice feels like an emotional marathon, testing their strength and resilience.
One grieving family in Kwale shares the heart-wrenching experience of their nine-year-old daughter, Amina* (a name changed for her protection), who was a victim of defilement in 2023.
“Sometimes she sits alone and you can see that her mind is occupied and she’s thinking so much,” her relatives said, noting that even after counselling, the emotional scars remain fresh.
The incident took place during the Eid al-Hajj celebrations in 2023, when Amina was just seven years old. Her family shared that the suspect lured her into a neighbor’s house with the promise of gifts.
“The boy showed her Sh50 and a mango and told her that those were the gifts he wanted to give her, but first she had to remove her clothes, lay in bed and close her eyes,” her uncle recounted.
Amina’s mother felt a wave of panic when her daughter’s friend came home alone. She hurried over to the neighbor’s house and found Amina in tears as she stepped out from the back door.
After some gentle questioning, Amina opened up about what had happened. Concerned, the family took her to get a medical check-up.
The doctor confirmed the situation and recommended that the suspect also get examined. But before that could happen, he vanished.
It took the family three long months to track him down and finally hand him over to the police.
He faced charges in a Kwale court but was released on a Sh40,000 bond.
What followed was a drawn-out and frustrating legal battle that has stretched on for three years.
Witnesses, including the victim, her mother, the doctor, and the investigating officer, all took the stand. However, things hit a snag when the police officer missed several hearings due to being on leave.
Fast forward to early 2025, just as the case was wrapping up, the suspect asked for a retrial.
The court turned down the request, pointing out that defilement cases are meant to be resolved within six months.
He was held in custody for 14 days but managed to escape with his uncle’s help, who claimed he had given him money to buy painkillers.
Since that day, the suspect has not been caught again.
“I feel bad about it and a lot of money is being wasted going back and forth to the court for a hearing only to count it as a wasted day because the perpetrator has not been found and arrested,” the uncle said.
“The case is also taking too long. It has been three years now and still the perpetrator has not paid for what he did, and he’s free roaming around. She feels sad and discouraged that justice has not been served and it’s being delayed,” he added.
To keep Amina safe during the hearings, her family made the tough decision to move her and set up secure transportation for her to and from school.
However, they feel that the ongoing lack of justice is weighing heavily on her.
As court dates continue to stack up without any resolution, the family is urgently asking the authorities to ramp up the search and ensure the suspect is brought to justice.
For them, the saying “justice delayed is justice denied” has never felt more true.
When Ann first went in for a haircut, the barber couldn’t help but tell her how much he adored her.
Young and focused on her education, she told him firmly, “I’m still in school studying, and if you really love me, you will wait for me to finish.”
She believed that was the final chapter. However, just a few days later, their paths crossed once more.
“He took me to a mango plantation far from the road, where no one could hear or see us. He then took advantage of me and left,” she said.
Shaken to her core, Ann returned home and shared everything with her mother. With no funds for a hospital visit, they spent a long, uneasy night wrapped in silence.
The following morning, they went to the Diani police station to report the assault and then headed to the hospital.
“I got tested and was given some medicine. The doctor then told me that the guy who had taken advantage of me had a sexually transmitted disease. I was given medicine and we went back home,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
The police took the barber into custody, and soon the case found its way to the Kwale law courts. For Ann and her mother, going to the hearings turned into quite a challenge.
“My mother and I did not have the money to go to the court hearing every time. We used to go to the police station and would board the police car that would take us to the court,” she said.
Despite the challenges she faced, Ann showed incredible courage by testifying against him.
“I gave my testimony, and I now hear that he was sentenced to jail. I fear walking around by myself since I don’t know whether the person is still in prison or if he was released from jail. Most of the time, I stay at home,” she said.
Her voice shook with fear, yet she held onto hope for what the future might bring.
“I hope I get the justice I deserve and would wish that the guy is sentenced for a lifetime,” she said. I would also like to ask well-wishers to help in paying my school fees because it’s a challenge for my mother to afford it.”
For 13-year-old Camilla*, what started as a simple favor quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
She was home sick from school when a neighbor asked her to charge his phone. A familiar face, he had often come over to watch football with her family. But when she returned the phone, he revealed his true intentions.
“He told me he was interested in me and wanted to be with me. I turned him down and told him I was still young and he was older than me, so whatever he wanted should not happen,” she said.
Her rejection was met with a chilling threat. “He told me if I can’t be with him, he will kill me.”
Days later, as she was heading to class, he showed up again, this time wielding a panga, and insisted she follow him. He introduced her to his mother, claiming she was his girlfriend.
That night, she ended up sleeping in his mother’s room, but by the next evening, he had overpowered her.
“I argued with him and told him I was not his girlfriend. He took advantage of me,” she said.
She was eventually saved by the police. When she got to court, she faced her fears and took the stand. Her bravery resulted in him receiving a 20-year sentence.
Defiled, Denied, Still Waiting
