Matatu driver denies defilement, claims he sheltered teen after family dispute

A matatu driver charged with defiling a 15-year-old girl five years ago has told an Eldoret court that he had only offered the girl a place to spend the night after she fell out with her mother.

James Omondi, 38, who operates along the Eldoret–Langas estate route, stated before Senior Resident Magistrate Daniel Sitati that he had asked his sister to accommodate the minor at her house in Langas.

He further informed the court that he had acted out of goodwill after the minor told him she was travelling at night to her home county of Migori following a feud with her mother.

The accused appealed to the magistrate for sympathy, arguing that his case had been clearly framed and fixed by certain individuals whom he claimed were his enemies.

“Your Honour, I was trying to save the minor’s life when she explained that she had differed with her mother and wanted to travel to Migori in protest,” he said, adding:

“Because it was late, I pleaded with her to halt the journey so that we could talk with her mother.”

According to the accused, he had been framed on the defilement charge, noting that he was in no way linked to the ordeal that befell the minor on the fateful day, as stated in the court documents. 

He further denied claims that he resided in Langas estate, the scene of the incident, and instead stated that the girl was to spend the night at his sister’s house.

“These allegations that I stay in Langas are not true. I have never resided in Langas as claimed in court. What I know is that I have been living in Kipkaren estate since I came to this town over a decade ago. The allegations are only about fixing me with this matter,” the accused claimed.

He was charged with defiling the minor, who was in Form One, on diverse dates between December 3, 2022 and January 30, 2023 at Langas area in Uasin Gishu County.

Omondi is said to have lured the minor to his house, where he defiled her repeatedly before neighbours raised the matter with the police.

The matatu crew member has since denied the defilement charge levelled against him by the minor, but the prosecution has lined up five witnesses who have testified against him.

The matter will be mentioned on July 7 for further determination.