A 49-year-old man, Ruphas Micheni Kinyua, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a 23-year-old woman. The sentence was handed down by Chuka Resident Magistrate Oscar Wakina on Thursday.
According to court documents, Kinyua committed the offence on September 12, 2023, by deceiving the victim with a false promise of a job as a house help.
“The Complainant met the accused on September 12, 2023, at around 9 pm at Mbogori in Chogoria, Tharaka-Nithi County along the road. The accused promised the complainant a job of a house help,” stated the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement.
After luring the victim to his home, Kinyua reportedly offered her food and then left the house, locking her inside. According to the ODPP, “The accused later came at midnight, raped her, locked her inside again, and left.”
The following day, on September 13, Kinyua returned around 1 pm, released the victim, and gave her a Ksh.100 note along with his phone number, instructing her to call him.
While on her way home, the victim encountered her aunt, who had been searching for her. After hearing what had transpired, the aunt persuaded the victim to report the incident at the Mbogori Police Post in Chogoria.
Following the report, Kinyua was arrested and charged. During the trial, Prosecution Counsel Emmaculate Hyimo presented strong evidence, including testimonies from four witnesses, among them the doctor and the investigating officer. The evidence also included the P3 form, PRC form, and treatment notes.
“The prosecution, through Prosecution Counsel Emmaculate Hyimo, presented compelling evidence, including testimonies from four witnesses among them, the doctor and the investigating officer,” stated the ODPP.
The court found Kinyua guilty, sentencing him to a decade behind bars for the crime.