Teachers charged with repeatedly defiling pupil

Two teachers who were arrested on suspicion of repeatedly defiling a Standard Four pupil have been charged.

Appearing before Isiolo resident magistrate Joan Irura, the two youthful teachers at Little Angels Academy looked composed as the charges were read to them.

The court-room was fully packed by parents, teachers and pupils who keenly followed the proceedings.

However, Paul Murithi Njeru and Nicholas Mwirigi Mithika aged 24 and 26 respectively denied the charges.

They were charged that on diverse dates between July 2 and July 21 at Little Angel Primary School, jointly, they had been defiling a girl aged nine.

They also faced an alternative count, each for practicing an indecent act with a child.

On the second count, they were charged with drugging the pupil before they could repeatedly defile her.

They were accused of intentionally causing a concoction to be inhaled by the minor and stupefying her so as to enable them engage in sexual activities with her.

“You intentionally administered a substance with intent to stupefy her before engaging in sex with her,” read part of the charge sheet.

The prosecution led by Senior Principal Prosecution counsel Jalson Makori, vehemently opposed the accused being granted bail.

Mr Makori filed three applications before the magistrate to compel the court to remand the accused.

On the first application, he said that the prosecution may prefer more charges to the teachers and since the investigations were still going on, it would be prudent to remand them.

The prosecutor also raised concern that if the teachers were released, they would interfere with the prosecution witnesses most of whom are the pupils they teach.

Mr Makori further told the court that when the teachers were arrested on Tuesday, there was a public outcry and the emotions from the members of the public were still high and freeing the accused could compromise their security.

“Your honor, as the prosecution, we are opposing accused from being released on bail for now, police are still going on with investigations and we might prefer more charges to them should we get more complainants.

“Them being released also they may interfere with the key witnesses and again their security is not guaranteed due to the emotions by the public. We therefore pray that they be remanded in custody for seven days before the court can decide if to release them on bail,” said Mr Makori.

Defence lawyer Muia Mwanzia, who was represented by Lawyer Njenga Waceke pleaded with the court to release the teachers in vain.

The magistrate allowed the application by the prosecution and ordered that the teachers be remanded at Isiolo police station for seven days.

She said despite bond being a constitution right for the accused persons, the prosecution had given compelling reasons warranting to remand the teachers.

“Having heard the statements of the senior prosecution counsel opposing the accused to be released on bail and having considered the reasons advanced, I have seen it is fair that the investigations be completed before the accused are granted bail."

“Taking into consideration that there is tension, which even has been seen in court today, the safety of the accused is not guaranteed. For that reason, the court treat the reasons raised as compelling ones” ruled the magistrate.

Ms Irura further directed that the teachers appear in court on August 3 during the mention of the case and for further directions.

On Tuesday the teachers escaped death by a whisker from the angry parents who attempted to lynch them. They were rescued by police officers led by Isiolo police boss Charles Ontita.

Mr Ontita said they refused to release the teachers on police bond on Tuesday before they were arraigned in court, because of security reasons.