By NGUMBAO KITHI
MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA: Police have launched a manhunt for a top employee of a children’s home accused of defiling eight children at the institution.
The suspect is believed to have crossed into Tanzania after escaping a police dragnet.
Mombasa Urban Deputy Police Officer Tom Okoth and County Director for Children Services Elizabeth Mbuka said the suspect has abused children over time.
She referred to the latest incident that is said to have happened on November 22. “Every time the victim goes to the bathroom where it happened, he is traumatised and I have decided to relocate him as a result,” said Ms Mbuka yesterday.
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She said investigations indicated that the suspect also sodomised the latest victim’s older brother in 2012 and defiled six girls, with no arrests so far. Mbuka said her team was in the process of filing a report to commence a police probe and prosecution. She said the girls were defiled in the library and reported the matter to officials but they were asked for evidence.
“The children claim whenever they take the matter to the administration, the managers demand evidence and refuse to report the matter to police,” she said.
According to Okoth, although the latest incident happened on November 22, it was kept secret for days before police were involved.
He warned that delays in reporting sexual abuse cases tend to compromise evidence. He said detectives were building a case against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the manager of the home, Martha Marita, has also said the suspect went into hiding. She, however, assured the safety of the 56 children at the home.
Officers reluctant
“They are safe despite the unfortunate incident where a boy is alleged to have been sodomised. The rest are safe,” she said.
She added that the Mombasa Children’s Home was the most respected institution in the county owing its services to underprivileged children.
Two probation officers based at the Shanzu law courts alleged the local children’s office was reluctant to address defilement cases.
Lydia Ngigi and Lucy Gichuki said they were forced to report the latest incident to the police following inaction from the children’s office.
