Kilifi Pastor Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Defiling Minor

A Kilifi pastor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after DNA evidence conclusively linked him to a child born by his 15-year-old cousin. Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki delivered the verdict after finding the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard that the offenses occurred between June 2023 and February 2024. The victim testified that the accused—her cousin and pastor at her local church—invited her to his home under the guise of prayer and spiritual fasting. During one session in mid-2023, the pastor defiled her and threatened her life if she spoke out.

Roughly two weeks later, he lured her back under similar pretenses, claiming a divine vision showed fasting was necessary to keep her from marrying a non-Christian. He then defiled her a second time.

Months later, after the teenager discovered she was pregnant, her mother reported the matter to the police. Medical examinations confirmed the pregnancy, and subsequent forensic testing provided irrefutable proof. A government analyst presented DNA evidence establishing a 99.9% probability that the cleric was the biological father.

During the trial, the accused initially denied the charges before admitting to sexual intercourse. However, he claimed he was coerced and unaware of his cousin’s age. Magistrate Mwaniki dismissed the defense as baseless and an afterthought, firmly rejecting the claims before handing down the 30-year sentence. The court advised the convict of his right to appeal within 14 days.