Minor narrates ordeal with perpetrator who infected her with HIV

 

A family in Mumias, Kakamega county is demanding justice for their 13-year-old, who was allegedly defiled repeatedly by a businessman three years ago.

The grade six pupil, who is also living with albinism was also infected with HIV.

The minor said the man known to her defiled her twice in in his house.

According to the minor, the perpetrator operated a hotel at Ekero market in Mumias West constituency and lived in the outskirts of the centre.

She said he called her while playing with her friends under the pretext that he wanted to send her to the shop.

He asked her to enter the house and closed the door, before grabbing her.

“He removed my clothes and used them to cover my mouth then defiled me. I tried to scream and begged him to stop but he threatened to kill me if I revealed what he had done,” she said.

“I was scared and frightened and kept everything to myself. I feared he might kill me as he had vowed.” 

The minor said the suspect had also defiled her when she was in Grade 3.

She kept everything from her parents until she started developing some complications from the HIV infection.

Her father HM , said his daughter had yellowish wounds that gave unpleasant odor.

“I resorted to using herbs to treat her because I thought it was witchcraft or some black magic was cast on her,"HM said.

"I travelled extensively for two years trying to find remedy of the condition but there was no change, until February 12 when she was taken to a clinic in Mumias town and it is then that we found out that she was positive," he said.

The discovery made him subject his former wife and two other children to a HIV test but they all turned negative.

“I was surprised with the turn of events. When I tried to enquire from my daughter how she could have contracted virus, she refused to tell me," HM said.

"She later opened up to her step-mother and told her that a man, who owned a hotel at Ekero defiled her twice and could have infected her.”

The father of three said it pains him to see her daughter being put on antiretroviral therapy for the rest of her life.

“She has been on ART since February, 13. I have never imagined that something like this will ever happen to me or my daughters," he said.

"But as a father I have to be strong to lead my daughter towards healing path from the trauma.” 

HM said the suspect is his neighbour and a friend, and he has been visiting his home frequently for the past 10 years.

The suspect, in his late 30s has since fled the village after learning that the minor named him as the perpetrator. 

The matter was reported at the Mumias West police station on February 13.

Mumias West subcounty police commander Steven Muoni said investigations are ongoing.

“The matter is of public interest and it is receiving deserved attention,” he said.

by HILTON OTENYO