Two lorry drivers accused of defiling
two Iten schoolgirls denied the charges on Thursday and were released on Sh300,000 bond each.
Edwin Korir and Hillary Mengich, who work for a Chinese road contractor,
allegedly touched
the girls inappropriately.
They denied the charges before
senior principal magistrate Hezron Nyaber, who freed them on bond with two sureties of the same amount.
Marakwet West police arrested the men on Tuesday night after finding them with the girls in a lodging.
Kimnai location chief Francis Kanda
said Korir and Mengich disappeared with the minors after completing the day’s work.
“I got a tip-off from residents who saw the men and girls booking rooms. I called administrative police officers who found them in their
rooms,” the chief said.
Area police boss Ibrahim Kosi said the suspects were questioned at Kapsowar police station before being taken to court today.
“This is a very serious offence so police are conducting thorough investigations," he noted.
He told parents to closely monitor their children during school holidays to minimise cases of defilement.
Meanwhile, Keiyo North police boss Mwenda Meme has decried rising cases of defilement and incest.
Meme also expressed concern about a low number of convictions and blamed victims and other members of the public, who do not provide evidence.
“Most of these cases end up being thrown out of court because victims prefer out-of-court settlements," he said, adding that some parents relocate with victims, making it difficult for police to find and punish the perpetrators.
The case will be mentioned on August 8.