Mombasa County, Kenya – A mother’s desperate plea for justice has sparked outrage in Mombasa County after her two-and-a-half-year-old child was allegedly raped in Shika Adabu Ward, Likoni Constituency. The incident, reported to Inuka Police Station at Ujamaa Stage, has been shrouded in controversy and claims of corruption.
Halima Muthoni Muriuki, the distraught mother, reported that her child was assaulted by a 16-year-old boy last June, when the child was one year and ten months old. The suspect was apprehended but was released on the same day on a bond of KSh 20,000. Despite the case being officially recorded, Halima alleges that irregularities have plagued the legal proceedings. She discovered that her statement was altered, and her name was changed in the court records from Halima Muthoni Muriuki to Halima Mohammed. This, she believes, is a deliberate attempt to undermine her case.
“The doctor confirmed my child was raped,” Halima stated tearfully, “But the police did not provide a statement.”
Halima recalled the harrowing day of the assault. While arranging clothes with the radio on, she was alerted by her baby’s cries from a nearby vacant room. “The accused person often played with my children. I never suspected he would commit such a heinous act. He took my child to an empty room, and I heard her crying, calling my name,” Halima recounted. Rushing to the room, she found the accused hastily leaving and her child on the floor, bleeding.
Relatives of the accused pleaded with Halima not to report the case, but a well-wisher helped her get initial treatment for her child. Halima’s pursuit of justice has not been easy, as she has faced intimidation and threats to drop the case. “I want justice for my child. If anything happens to me, you already know why. I don’t have the finances to relocate from Likoni. My business went bankrupt because of my child. I will not give up until my child gets justice,” vowed Halima.
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma stated that they had received several complaints accusing police at Inuka Police Station of interfering with cases. “There is rampant graft. People are booked but not arraigned in court. There is a kangaroo court; there is injustice,” Auma said. He added that Halima fears for her safety, having been beaten, her house invaded, and her medical records stolen. Auma further alleged that those handling the case had been compromised to defeat justice. “We will not accept this injustice. This is a human rights violation against a child who has been raped. Those supposed to protect children’s rights are interfering with cases,” said Auma, calling on the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intervene so the child can get justice.
Human Rights Activist Said Salim criticized the conduct of some police officers, using Inuka Police Station as an example. He vowed to fight until the child gets justice, calling on the Inspector General (IG) of Police to intervene. “We cannot have a police department that threatens basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. The same department meant to instill hope is creating fear and disturbance,” said Salim.
The lack of police cooperation and the alleged tampering with her statement have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the investigation. As the community rallies behind her, Halima remains resolute in her pursuit of justice, hoping that her voice will be heard and the truth will prevail.
Source: SET Kenya Digital Television
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