By Andanje Wakhungu
Butali Children’s Court Magistrate Caroline Naliaka Njalale has warned local administration officers against tampering with evidence touching on children’s cases, arguing that they risk jail term if found guilty.
Njalale also warned parents who conceal such cases in favour of the offender with promises of monetary gains hefty and harsh penalties.
Speaking to the public during the official opening of the children’s court, Njalale warned of stern action against chiefs and their assistants who are notorious of enticing the victim’s siblings to withdraw filed cases and opt for out of court settlements.
Njalale said so many cases of gender and sexual based violence against children have not been forwarded to their courts as the two parties opt to settle such cases out of courts, denting the victims justice.
“The culprit gets to walk away scot free and commits a similar offense to another child within the village,” she said, further reiterating that the courts shall not condone such behavior.
She noted with concern that statistics have also revealed that fathers are notorious sexual offenders and that their families choose not to report such cases for fear of being shamed.
“We want such cases to be forwarded to us so that we take full action against the culprits,” he said.
Kabras Police OCS James Nyabidi said his team of officers will bring to book any leader or parent found hosting kangaroo courts.
He called on maximum cooperation between the parents and police to restore sanity in the communities.
He also called on the public to divulge any information concerning sexual offences to them as soon as possible for prompt arrest.
Butali Chief Magistrate Sumsang Kipng’elion called on community elders to continue instilling good and upright moral values in the society to ensure that the same are respected and upheld.
Officials from I Care, a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) led by John Kariuki, said most children are sexually harassed by close family members.
Kariuki stated that their findings indicate that high levels of poverty, poor housing and foster families play a crucial role in these cases.
He urged all stakeholders to embrace the Children Act of 2003 and the Sexual Offences Act of 2006 which have set a minimum sentence for sexual offenders.
He called for close collaboration with the relevant bodies to ensure justice prevails for the affected children.
