Teacher arrested for defiling pupil at maize farm

A junior secondary school teacher, Eric Rotich, aged 38, has been apprehended over the weekend after he was caught in the act of defiling a grade 7 pupil in a maize plantation.

Members of the public, who were outraged by the distressing cries of the young girl, rescued her from the maize farm, leading to the teacher’s immediate arrest.

The incident unfolded when Rotich allegedly waylaid the pupil on her way home with maize flour from a posho mill, parking his motorcycle on the roadside. Fortunately, concerned citizens heard the girl’s pleas for help and rushed to her rescue, capturing the perpetrator in the act.

Sub-county police commander Mohammed Jireh confirmed the teacher’s arrest, assuring that the full force of the law would be applied to bring justice to the victim. The girl was immediately taken to Meteitei sub-district hospital for medical attention and further investigations.

Upon apprehension, the suspect and the victim were handed over to Soba location Chief William Lulei by the public. They were subsequently taken to Songhor police station, where Rotich is expected to appear before the Maraba law courts in Tinderet.

The accused teacher is associated with Sigoria Junior Secondary School, while the victim is a student at a neighboring junior secondary school. Fortunately, the teacher managed to evade the public’s wrath, thanks to timely intervention by police officers who were summoned to the scene.

Tinderet sub-county has been facing challenges with low girls’ transition rates among the six Nandi sub-counties, primarily due to early marriages and dropouts resulting from early pregnancies. Chalan Foundation, an NGO operating in the area, is dedicated to supporting young mothers in returning to school. The organization raised concerns over unreported cases of defilement, stating that many school-going girls in the region get impregnated but suffer in silence due to poverty and a harsh environment.

Margaret Koskei, chairperson of Chalan Foundation, emphasized their commitment to assisting young mothers in resuming their education. Thanks to their efforts, several young women have already returned to school and even completed university education. The Foundation remains dedicated to breaking the cycle of early marriages and teenage pregnancies in the community.