Two men in Kericho County will spend 30 years in prison each after they were found guilty of defiling a 16-year-old.

What started as a plea for help led to a series of events that saw the minor defiled by the very same people that were supposed to help him.

Presided by Principal Magistrate Hon. Nyakundi, the court heard that the victim attended Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kericho Green Stadium on 20th October 2023.

Unfortunately, he ran out of money, seeking help from Ezekiel Taitui who took him to his rental home in Baraka Village, Kericho East Sub-County.

“Taitui proceeded to defile the minor on multiple occasions between 20th October and 17th November 2023,” the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) reports.

It is at this point that the boy sought refuge to Derrick Kipngeno Kirui, also known as Gideon Kipngeno Kirui, who took him in. “However, Kirui also defiled him.”

The prosecution, led by Counsel Anthony Karanja, presented 11 witnesses, including the victim, who detailed his ordeal before the court.

Medical examinations confirmed that both accused persons were HIV-positive. They were charged with two counts each—defilement and an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child, as well as the deliberate transmission of HIV.

However, the court acquitted them of the second charge after medical tests confirmed that the victim was HIV-negative.

They were found guilty of defilement and sentenced to 30 years in prison each.