Kwale county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri has warned parents, chiefs and village elders against 'solving' defilement cases in kangaroo courts and protecting culprits.
It has been reported most parents in the region prefer compensation in cash or animals and choose baraza courts after their children have been defiled.
They avoid the justice system.
Previously, some village elders and area chiefs were accused of being part and parcel of the illegal deals that later fail.
Kanyiri blamed kangaroo courts for the increasing teen pregnancies in the region because many culprits go unpunished.
He said late reporting of cases leads to the loss of crucial evidence, resulting in delayed and denied justice.
“Report defilement cases immediately, they occur because further delays jeopardise the entire process of bringing the offenders to book," the commissioner said.
He said delayed reporting makes it hard for doctors to conduct meaningful medical examinations in defilement, rape and sodomy cases.
Kanyiri said many where girls are defiled and made pregnant but parents remain silent and decide on a discreet and profitable out-of-court settlement.
One case involved a 13-year-old girl in Msambweni who was defiled and impregnated by a neighbour. Her parents failed to report the crime until activists blew the whistle six months later.
Kanyiri pledged to help the family find justice as police work on the case.
The county commissioner said sexual offences involving minors can’t be bargained and perpetrators must be held accountable.
“Chiefs or any other persons have no right to handle these cases at home, they must be reported to the police and taken to court for legal action,” he said.
The administrator warned that defilement will thrive and many girls’ futures will be destroyed if residents won’t stand against it.
He said stern actions shall be taken against anyone promoting out-of-court settlements.
Kanyiri also said police officers who fail to act on the cases immediately are reported.
Recently, some police officers were accused of being reluctant to handle defilement reports.
Kanyiri said the government won’t relent in fighting against teen pregnancies and defilement, asking the public to disclose cases.
Wrongdoers will be pursued, arrested and charged in a court of law, he said.
Teen pregnancies and forced marriages are increasing in the region.
Last month, 10 schoolgirls were rescued from forced marriages by a rights organisation, some were pregnant and others nursing babies.
(Edited by V. Graham)
