Hunt for ex-convict who defiled nephew intensifies in Njoro

Police in Njoro have intensified the search for a man accused of sexually assaulting his 15-year-old nephew before fleeing into hiding.

The shocking incident, which occurred on Sunday, October 26, has left residents of Piave reeling in anger and fear.

According to the boy’s grandmother, Naomi* the suspect is an ex-convict who completed a 16-year prison sentence just four months ago.

She says the man is alleged to have attacked the Grade Nine pupil, assaulted him sexually and attempted to kill him along River Ndarugu.

“We noticed my grandson was not at home at around 8 pm. I initially assumed he was at a relative’s house nearby. However, upon checking he was not there. Shortly after I heard noise outside the gate, I sent my son to check. He came back saying police officers were outside with my grandson,” she notes.

Little did she know they came bearing bad news on his grandson. She learnt that the boy had been taken advantage of by his uncle along River Ndarugu.

 Naomi says when they got to the boy at a home near the river, he was first rushed for treatment at Njoro Sub-County Hospital before being referred to Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital on Monday.

“I recall sensing something was wrong when I saw ny grandson in different clothes and visibly shaken. He was quiet and confused. When I finally learned he had been defiled by his uncle, my world fell apart,” she says.

 According to the boy, he reveals that his uncle had attacked him near their home, and when he regained consciousness, he found himself naked and tied up by the river.

“He told me to pray before dying, claiming he had killed others before. But when the man stepped away to answer a phone call, I took the chance to escape, screaming for help. Neighbors who heard my cries rushed to the scene and rescued me,” the boy explains, further revealing he was bound and  gagged at that time.  

Despite the ordeal, the minor is currently sitting for his school exams under close supervision. His teachers have arranged a private room to help him focus and avoid stigma.

“He’s traumatized, but he wants to finish his exams. We are living in fear because the suspect vowed to harm us,” Naomi says.

 The boy’s mother, Nancy (not her real name), who works as a casual laborer in Narok, received the devastating news late that night.

“My sister called asking if I had heard what happened. When she finally told me, I broke down. I had to plead with a truck driver to bring me to Nakuru overnight,” Nancy recounts.

 As she finds a way to help her son navigate what he went through she also criticized the hospitals for what she termed as inadequate medical care.

“He was only given PEP for three days. We had to go back the next day for more medication. He’s still in pain, and we are planning more tests. However, I did not see them run any test on him to confirm if the act was done on him and offer him support to deal with it,” she says.

Nancy now wants justice for her son and for the man to face the law for ruining her son's life. 

" I appeal with the police and human rights activists to help me get justice for my child," Nancy says

Speaking in a phone interview, Njoro Sub-County Police Commander Stanley Koech says police were still following up on leads to track down the suspect.

 “The community had given us hints that the man was still within the area after being spotted. We have now intensified the search to ensure he is arrested,” Koech says.

He adds that officers have also been instructed to record formal statements from the family and the minor to strengthen the case.

“We have advised the officers to ensure the family and the child give detailed statements as investigations progress,” Koech notes.