By Ongaga ongaga
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of defiling his six-year-old daughter in Garissa County.
The accused was convicted by Garissa Law Courts Resident Magistrate R. Lemayan over the incident, which occurred on January 22, 2026, at about 11pm in Bulla Ijara area, Garissa Township.
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The court heard that the man intentionally defiled the child, identified as P.M.
In its judgment, the court relied on the child’s testimony, which placed the accused at the scene and identified him as her father. The evidence was supported by testimonies from four other prosecution witnesses.
Medical evidence, including a doctor’s testimony, a P3 form and treatment notes, was also presented in court to corroborate the child’s account.
Father-daughter relationship
In determining the sentence, the court considered the child’s age and the relationship between her and the accused.
The magistrate observed that the accused had a responsibility to protect the child but instead abused his position as her father.
“The court has considered the offence and the relationship between the accused and the complainant. This is a father and daughter relationship, and as such, the accused was required to protect her, but instead he is the one who preyed on her,” the magistrate said.
The sentence was imposed under Section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act, which provides for life imprisonment where a child below the age of 11 is defiled.
The accused has 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.
The prosecution was led by Police Constable (PC) Sharon Irungu.
