Nandi police accused of protecting serial sex offender
Police in Nandi County are on the spot over an alleged cover-up of a male serial sexual offender who has been targeting young men and boys.
One of the active cases involves a 24-year-old male college student in Nandi North. The student claims that he was lured into a lodging at Kabiyet market where he was sexually abused by the suspect a week ago.
The student (name withheld for privacy reasons) has shared medical and police records and claims police have attempted to silence him, with one officer offering him Sh30,000 on behalf of the businessman to keep quiet.
The incident drew the rage of residents of Chepterwai village in Nandi North who staged protests at their market on Monday, demanding the immediate arrest of the suspect. They claimed that sexual crimes were rampant in the area.
The 24-year-old complainant says he reported the incident to the Kabiyet Police Station.
The suspected offender is a well-known trader at Kabiyet market who has allegedly been using his financial muscle to defeat justice.
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The complainant claims the trader tricked him into accompanying him to Kabiyet to pick up some land transaction documents before luring him into a local lodging, where he was sexually abused.
Speaking to journalists during the Monday demonstrations, the victim said he was treated at a local hospital after the incident which has affected him psychologically, especially when he saw the perpetrator walking scot-free in the area.
The student has appealed to the police to act quickly and arrest the suspect for the sake of justice, not only for him but for other victims.
“I have all the documents from the hospital to support my claims, police must arrest the suspect,” said the victim.
However, the student fears being denied justice, alleging that some police officers from Kabiyet police station have attempted to persuade him to drop the case.
He alleges a detective from the station attempted to bribe him with Sh30,000 to drop the case.
“I have recordings from a DCI officer from Nandi who attempted to bribe me with Sh30,000 and persuade me to drop my quest for justice. I declined the offer for the sake of justice,” said the victim.
Nandi Nandi North County Police commander Simon Muli confirmed that the recent incident was reported at the station a week ago and police have completed investigations and the file forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (ODPP).
“Let the residents be patient. We have completed investigations and forwarded the file to ODPP, and are waiting for further directions. As soon as ODPP confirms that the suspect ought to be charged, we will move in swiftly and arrest him,” Mr Muli said.
Nandi North residents who participated in the Monday demonstration condemned the sexual violence against men, citing a series of rape cases targeting men in the area.
Local human rights activist Jairus Kimutai who led the demonstration urged police to ensure that the victims get justice.
“Police must not sacrifice justice by accepting money from the suspect who has been engaging in a series of sexual offenses against young men and boys from this area,” said Mr Kimutai.
He warned that if the police do not act, locals may be forced to take the law into their own hands.
“The lives of our children are in danger, and police must act to save the future generation from Chepterwai,” said James Kosgei, an elder from the area.
On Monday, protesters marched around Chepterwai market a few meters from the local police station chanting slogans and waving twigs to express their solidarity with victims of sexual offences in the area.
“We want justice for our boys and all children who are victims of rape and other forms of sexual offenses,” said a demonstrator.