A Kisumu court handed down a 15-year prison sentence to a man on Friday for the rape of a 92-year-old woman in Ofunyu village the previous September.
Senior Principal Magistrate Robert Owanda, presiding over the Winam Law Courts, pronounced the verdict, basing it on compelling witness testimonies presented during the trial that unequivocally established the guilt of the accused, identified as Alex Okumu Ooyi, also known as Jagor.
Ooyi faced charges of rape and indecent assault under the Sexual Offenses Act. The court learned that on September 17, 2023, at 11 p.m., Ooyi forcibly entered the home of Keziah Osir, the elderly victim, and perpetrated the crime.
Magistrate Owanda underscored the weight of seven witnesses’ testimonies, including those of DNA analysis experts from the government chemist. DNA examinations conducted on blood-stained bedding discovered at the crime scene, along with the accused’s underwear, revealed a female DNA profile consistent with that of the victim, solidifying the accused’s connection to the offense.
During the plea for mitigation, the accused requested leniency, citing his status as a first-time offender. However, the court dismissed this appeal, stressing the gravity of the offense and the necessity for a stern deterrent.
The accused has a 14-day window to lodge an appeal against the incarceration.
