70 per cent of crimes at Malindi law courts are sexual defilement and rape

Malindi court orderlies samples two witness Protection Boxes in Kilifi County. [Nehemiah Okwembah/Standard].

Seven in every ten cases at Malindi law courts are either about rape or defilement, a magistrate has revealed.

Malindi Chief Magistrate Julie Oseko said two to three rape and defilement cases are handled at the courts every day.

Dr Oseko was addressing journalists yesterday during the handing over of witness protection boxes at Malindi court premises. She said rape and defilement make up for at least 70 per cent of court cases every month.

The magistrate said that most of the cases came from Magarini and Kilifi North sub-counties and that they were difficult to settle due to intimidation of victims and witnesses.

“In a single month, we register at least 30 cases of defilement, some involving children below 10 years,” she said.

Oseko welcomed the introduction of witness protection boxes for rape and defilement cases.

The witness protection boxes were donated by Haki Yetu, a non- governmental organization that deals with children’s rights, to protect victims' and witness' identities.

Triza Gacheru, an advocate with Haki Yetu, said many cases of defilement and rape have been defeated because victims and witnesses feared coming face to face with the accused.

She said that the boxes will enable rape and defilement victims testify confidently.