A former football coach will spend the rest of his life behind bars after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) successfully tabled evidence in a Kilifi court implicating him in the defilement of young boys.
Peter Muriithi was also fined Ksh90 million or in default serve an extra 110 years in prison for child pornography, being in possession of videos with obscene images of a minor aged 11 years, and trafficking persons for the purposes of exploiting them sexually.
The prosecution submitted to the court how the accused, who managed a football team consisting of players under the age of 15, would recruit the minors and offer their families financial support as a way of buying their silence for his actions.
The court also revealed that the accused had been residing with some of the minors and that he sexually abused them while also recording these acts on his mobile phone.
Peter Muriithi slapped with 110 years in prison
According to the evidence tabled against him, the offenses were committed between 2022 and 2023 around Mwembe Tayari area, in Malindi sub-county.
The suspect has 14 days to appeal against the sentence.
Muriithi is not the first individual to receive such a sentence.
On Thursday, August 4, 2022, a notorious sex offender who managed a children’s home was sentenced to 100 years in prison for sexually abusing four minors under his care.
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This offender, who served as the director of the children’s home, targeted orphans, street children, and other vulnerable kids, promising them education and a better future.
Despite the boys’ cries and protests, he continued to abuse them, acting as though he was above the law.
Punishment for sexual offences under Sexual Offences Act
Under Kenyan law, the Sexual Offences Act outlines various charges and penalties for sex offenders.
For instance, if someone is found guilty of rape, they face a minimum sentence of 10 years, which can be extended to life imprisonment. Attempted rape carries a minimum sentence of 5 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment as well.
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When it comes to defilement, the penalties are particularly severe and depend on the age of the victim. If the victim is under 11 years old, the offender faces life imprisonment.
For victims aged 12 to 15 years, the minimum sentence is 20 years, and for those aged 16 to 18 years, the minimum sentence is 15 years.
Additionally, sexual assault can result in imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years, which may be increased to life imprisonment.
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