Pupil, 13, who was defiled gives birth

A Class Five pupil who was defiled has given birth at King Fahad Hospital in Lamu.

The delivery at Hindi Ward adds to the growing number of minors who have been defiled and put in the family way in the county. 

An 18-year-old man was charged with the defilement of the minor and is awaiting judgement.

Local MCA Anab Hajj, who reported the matter after the minor’s parents opted for an out-of-court settlement with suspect’s family, said the number of minors who had given birth locally was alarming, and blamed parents for colluding with perpetrators to defeat justice.

“Do you know that Hindi Ward is leading in defilement cases? I have handled several cases of girls as young as seven years who were defiled and as result became young mothers,” the MCA said.

Big problem

She said parents had become a big problem in the war against the vice, as they shielded perpetrators after being bribed. 

“Parents are accepting money from defilers and in turn protect them from facing justice,” she added.

Ms Hajj said the defiled minors underwent mental and physical trauma that required specialised treatment, adding that this could only be done if the matter was reported to the relevant authorities.

Toll free number

Lamu Woman Representative Ruweida Obo recently launched a toll free number, 1195, which residents can use to report gender-based violence and defilement cases.

Hajj urged parents to embrace the new number as a way of curbing the rising cases of early pregnancy.

“The number that was launched should be used to save our girls and boys who are endangered,” she said.