Concern over rights rates of defilements in Embu

EMBU: The children's department has raised concern over the high number of defilement cases in the area and called on courts to hand stiffer sentences to those found guilty.

Children Services County Co-ordinator, Paul Kisavi, said in this year alone, at least 30 children have been defiled with most of them aged below 15 years.

Speaking in Embu town, Kisavi said the number might be higher since most of the cases, especially those that involve close relatives, go unreported.

"One of the affected girls was below five years. Eight children were aged between six and 10 years, 22 children were between 11-15 years while four girls were aged between 16- 18 years.

Eight of the 10 incidences reported in Mbeere North sub-county were sodomy cases," he said. The official lamented the short jail sentences given to defilement and sexual harassment offenders saying stiffer penalties will act as a deterrent.