Accused radio journalist to stand trial

Kisumu, Kenya: A Kisumu court has confirmed charges against a radio presenter charged with defiling a 14-year-old girl.

This is despite medical reports indicating the girl had not been assaulted.

Abisalom Ong’er is accused of defiling the Aga Khan Primary School pupil at Poly View estate on the night of November 24, last year.

Kisumu Chief Magistrate Lucy Gitari, in her ruling, said the evidence brought before the court was enough to sustain the charges against Mr Ong’er.

The accused is also facing a second count of indecently touching the minor’s private parts.

A doctor at the Kisumu East District Hospital, Edgar Odenya, told the court the medical report showed the Standard Eight pupil had not been defiled.

The prosecution had closed its case after the girl, her father, the doctor and the police investigating the case had testified. Ms Gitari, however, made the ruling after summoning the doctor who handled the case.

“I have carefully considered all the evidence presented before me and I find that a case has been established to warrant the accused person to be put on his defence as charged,” she said.

Ong’er, a former Radio Lake Victoria presenter, is out on a Sh100,000 bond.