Kitui pastor jailed 15 years for sexually assaulting woman who sought refuge in church

A Kitui court has sentenced a pastor to 15 years in prison after finding him guilty of rape committed within church premises, in a case that has raised fresh concern over sexual violence in the region.

The Kitui Law Court convicted Justus Mutinda Mbuvi after hearing that he assaulted a woman who had sought refuge and help at the church.

The survivor, who had already been subjected to a separate rape incident, had sought help and refuge at the church when the accused took advantage of her vulnerable state.

Court proceedings revealed that despite the woman being injured and in distress, the accused proceeded to assault her.

In a further twist, he later accompanied the survivor to hospital, purporting to offer assistance.

However, while at the facility, the survivor disclosed the ordeal to a clinician, who immediately detained the suspect and alerted police, leading to his arrest.

The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Ms Njihia, presented three witnesses to support the case.

In delivering the sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. Elizabeth Karani underscored the prevalence of sexual offences in Kitui, stressing the need for firm punitive measures to deter such crimes.

The court subsequently handed Mbuvi a 15-year custodial sentence.