Magistrate quits defilement case against Makueni teacher

Dolls symbolising the agony of sexual assault victims. The trial of a teacher accused of defiling and impregnating a minor in Makueni County failed to take place on July 11, 2018 after the magistrate handling the case recused himself. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Last week, the magistrate found Mr Nzomo Mang'atha guilty of defiling the same girl and jailed him for life.
  • The court is handling the cases of at least five other men who are accused of defiling the same girl.
  • Mr Mayamba felt that some of his remarks during the earlier trial could jeopardise the current case.

The trial of a teacher accused of defiling and impregnating a minor in Makueni County failed to take place Wednesday after the magistrate handling the case recused himself.

Mr Charles Mayamba, the senior resident magistrate at Kilungu Law Courts, excused himself from trying Mr Mathew Muumbu, one of 21 men accused of defiling the 16-year-old girl.

"I feel uncomfortable hearing your case; I want to refer you to another court," the magistrate told the teacher who was in the dock.

He told the jammed court that he had reached the decision after considering the possible implications of a related case he had concluded.

OTHER SUSPECTS

The court is handling the cases of at least five other men, including a Makueni County government official, who are accused of defiling the same girl on diverse dates between last year and April this year.

Last week, the magistrate found Mr Nzomo Mang'atha guilty of defiling the same girl and jailed him for life.

Mr Mang'atha, a stone mason, was also found guilty of helping the Standard Six pupil procure an abortion.

Mr Mayamba felt that some of his remarks during the earlier trial could jeopardise the current case Mr Muumbu.

Mr Muumbu is out on a Sh 500,000 bond.

His trial will take place at the Makindu Law Courts and will resume on July 24.