A man from Kilifi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a court found him guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Tezo, Kilifi North Sub-County. The ruling was handed down by Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike, who said the prosecution had presented strong evidence proving the offence.
Elijah Murimi faced charges of defilement under Section 8(1) read with Section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006. He also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child.
According to the ODPP statement released on October 9, 2025, the court heard that on March 13, 2024, around 10 am, the girl was sent by her mother to buy pampers at a nearby shop in Tezo. Murimi and another man intercepted her, gagged her, and dragged her into a bush where they assaulted her before fleeing the scene.
The girl returned home in tears and informed her mother of the attack. The mother reported the matter to the area chief, who helped alert the police. The victim was examined at a hospital, and medical tests confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.
Murimi was arrested a few days later after the girl identified him in the area. The prosecution, led by Nancy Njeru, called four witnesses, including the victim, medical personnel, and investigating officers. Their testimonies were consistent and found credible by the court.
In his defence, Murimi claimed the accusations were false and stemmed from a business dispute with the girl’s family. The court rejected this argument, saying it was a ploy to divert attention from the crime.
Magistrate Wasike described the offence as grave, emphasizing the lasting impact on the child. She directed that the girl receive psychosocial support to help her recover from the trauma.