Rapists to remain under watch

By Wahome Thuku

All convicted rapists and other sexual offenders will now be monitored for the rest of their lives, thanks to a national electronic register developed by the Judiciary.

The online register of all convicted sexual offenders was launched Tuesday by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga at the Supreme Court, in a landmark step in the fight against sexual assault.

Names that get into the database will be made available but on special circumstances, to authorities and institutions seeking information on the offenders.

Attorney General Githu Muigai (left) receives register of all convicted sexual offenders from Chief Justice Willy Mutunga at the Supreme Court, Nairobi, Tuesday. [Photo:Stafford Ondego/Standard]

The register to be manned by the office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary will contain offenders names, age, identification details including thump prints, date of conviction and release, and details of the offence.

The register was launched at a function attended by Attorney General Githu Muigai, judges, judiciary officials, and representative of civil organisations that deal with gender violence.

At the same event, the Dr Mutunga received a draft of the rules of procedures for courts when handling sexual offences. The rules have been developed by a special task force established to spearhead the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act of 2006.

According to the Chief Registrar Gladys Shollei the national database will be used by the State to monitor convicted sexual offenders long after they are released from prisons.

Not open to public

"The register will for example be useful to the Teachers Service Commission when hiring teachers as well as the Public Service Commission and the Judiciary," said Ms Shollei.

She however, clarified that the register would not be open to the public and would be accessed only on necessary and most deserving circumstances. The Sexual Offences Act requires the registrar to keep such a database of convicts.