A mother of a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who was defiled at the age of one year and ten months, has decried intimidation in her pursuit of justice.
Despite the saying that the wheels of justice grind slowly but exceedingly fine, Halima Muthoni, mother of the minor defiled by a 16-year-old boy last June, wants the case expedited.
On the fateful day, while arranging clothes with the radio on, Halima was alerted by her baby’s cries from a nearby vacant room.
“The accused person often played with my children. I never suspected he would commit such a heinous act. He took my child to an empty room, and I heard her crying, calling my name,” recalled Halima.
Rushing to the room, she found the accused hastily leaving and her child on the floor, bleeding. Relatives of the accused pleaded with Halima not to report the case.
A well-wisher helped Halima’s child get initial treatment.
“I want justice for my child. If anything happens to me, you already know why. I don’t have the finances to relocate from Likoni. My business went bankrupt because of my child. I will not give up until my child gets justice,” vowed Halima.
She became suspicious when the case started, and she was called to testify. She discovered the charges were different and her names were not accurately recorded.
“My daughter, the doctor, and I have already testified, but the police have not. Those initially handling the case have been transferred.”
“I have been threatened, but all I want is justice for my child. I have moved houses, but they keep finding me,” she added.
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma said they received several complaints accusing police at Inuka Police Station of interfering with cases.
“There is rampant graft. People are booked but not arraigned in court. There is a kangaroo court; there is injustice.”
“They are pressuring the mother to accept a bribe to drop the case. A sexual offence cannot be easily withdrawn because the victim is a minor who cannot consent to withdraw the case,” Auma added.
Auma noted that Halima fears for her safety, having been beaten, her house invaded, and her medical records were stolen.
He further alleged that those handling the case had been compromised to defeat justice.
“We will not accept this injustice. This is a human rights violation against a child who has been raped. Those supposed to protect children’s rights are interfering with cases,” said Auma, calling on the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intervene so the child can get justice.
The judiciary was also urged to expedite the hearing of sexual-related cases that are prone to interference.
Said Salim, a Human Rights Activist, criticized the conduct of some police officers, using Inuka Police Station as an example.
He vowed to fight until the child gets justice, calling on the Inspector General (IG) of Police to intervene.
“We cannot have a police department that threatens basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. The same department meant to instil hope is creating fear and disturbance,” said Salim.
