Chief denies defiling teenager, released on bond

A chief from Samburu County has been arraigned in a Maralal court for defiling a teenager. Keward Lekalkuli, chief of Waso West location in Samburu East sub county was charged for defilement and aiding or abetting (Female Genital Mutilation) FGM on a 15-year-old girl.

Lekalkuli who was arrested on Thursday, was charged for an offence of committing an indecent act with a child in an alternative charge. He reportedly committed the acts at Remoti  Village, Samburu East sub-county between June 6, 2015 and July 8, 2015.

The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges levelled against him before resident magistrate Abraham Gachie.

The suspect was released on a bond of Sh500,000 with a surety of similar amount with  an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000. The court also restrained him from meeting or interacting with the minor.

The case is set for mention on July 23 and a hearing will commence on August 11.