A Nairobi Court has sentenced former Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital social worker Fred Leparan to 35 years in prison with no fine.
While issuing the verdict, Milimani Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu stated that Leparan would serve the sentence despite plea from his lawyers to consider a non-custodial sentence instead.
A non-custodial sentence is a punishment given by a court of law that does not involve a prison term like fines or community work.
At the same time, the second accused, Selina Adundo, was convicted to pay Ksh200,000 or serve two years in prison.
“The two, knowing that they had a duty of care for these three children, exposed the children to abuse, and therefore the two are guilty of the offense as charged,” the court stated.
Adundo was earlier acquitted on two counts as she was not mentioned in any of the footage presented as evidence.
Leparan Sentencing for Child Trafficking
On September 7, Leparan was found guilty of child trafficking and neglect of duty while his co accused Selina Adundo was acquitted on both counts.
However, both Adundo and Leparan were convicted on count three of the charge of negligence.
Magistrate Kimilu ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Fred Leparan and Selina Adundo neglected three children who had been abandoned at the hospital and conspired to sell them.
However, on September 26, Leparan appeared before the court together with his lawyers Danstan Omari and Martina Swiga, to plead with the magistrate for a lighter sentence.
According to Leparan, he deserved a lighter sentence because he was a first-time offender, a family man with children and a breadwinner.
“If given a non-custodial sentence, he will be able to reflect on the concluded trial so that he can be able to fit in society and support his family,” Swiga stated.
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Also Read: Omari Lists Reasons to Forgive Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Child Trafficker
BBC Expose on Leparan and Child Trafficking
Fred Leparan and Selina Adundo, were employees of the disbanded Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
They were charged with the offences of selling children from Mama Lucy Hospital in Embakasi two years ago.
In 2021, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired an exposé that revealed Leparan selling a child who had been abandoned at the hospital for Sh300,000.
Three children were transferred to the buyer who was a BBC undercover agent.
Also Read: Senate Recommends Closure of Mama Lucy Hospital Over Negligence
Danstan Omari Defends Leparan in Court
While defending Leparan, Omari blamed the difficult financial times for his conviction. He also noted that Leparan’s family had defended him despite the conviction by the court.
“He is the first born of five siblings and all of his family depend on him. The financial burden of a firstborn depends on him.
“When Leparan was arrested, the mother believed he would be acquitted and has suffered mental challenges due to the case. The convict might lose his mother and the children might suffer,” Omari stated.
At the same time, he argued that the convict was from a polygamous family and therefore lacked proper parental guidance while growing up, resulting in his crime.
“The psychologically poor background affects the children by generating hopelessness,” added Omari.
