Moiben Officer Accused of Misconduct in Defilement Case, Family Seeks Justice Amid Alleged Cover-Up
Commander Okal denied having any knowledge of Officer Bet’s involvement in the case, stating that the family had not been cooperative with the police during the investigation.
A police officer from Moiben Police Station, Uasin Gishu County ,who had been assigned to investigate a defilement case involving a minor, has now found himself at the center of serious allegations.
The minor, referred to as Chebet (not her real name), a Form Two student, had been discovered by her parents at a young man’s house late one evening. Concerned about her safety and behavior, the parents took both the minor and the young man to Moiben Police Station for further action.
Officer Duncan Bet, who was put in charge of the investigation in October last year, is now accused of misconduct in the case. According to multiple accounts, Officer Bet allegedly confined the minor in police custody for four days following her arrest. During this period, it is claimed that he removed the girl from the cells at night and took her to his residence, which was within the police station premises. The minor would then be returned to the cells in the morning, according to these allegations.
The situation escalated on the fourth day, a Sunday, when the minor was finally released from custody. She was reportedly given Ksh 500 by the officer, ostensibly for transport to visit friends. Reflecting on the events, Chebet shared her distress with Hubzmedia: “My parents caught me at my boyfriend’s house, and they took both of us to the police station. The officer said he would release me if I agreed to his terms. I feel terrible about what happened, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”
The case has taken a deeply troubling turn for the minor’s family as they seek justice for their daughter. Her mother has expressed immense frustration with both Officer Bet and the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Moiben. According to her, their attempts to report the misconduct to the police have been met with hostility and resistance. “The officers at Moiben refused to record the defilement charges against one of their own. We were forced to approach the Uasin Gishu County Police Commander in Eldoret, who intervened and directed the case to be handled at Ainaptich Police Station,” the mother recounted.
However, instead of the matter being resolved, the family alleges that officers at Ainaptich returned the case to Moiben, where little progress has been made. “We feel like we are being stonewalled at every turn. It’s as if no one is willing to listen to us or take our concerns seriously,” the victim’s mother added with a tone of frustration.
Adding to the complexity of the case, the young man who was with the minor on the night of the incident continues to work at a local petrol station, with no arrest having been made. “It seems the authorities are more focused on punishing us rather than addressing the real issues,” the mother said. She further revealed that her husband had been arrested and charged with assaulting the young man, compounding the family’s difficulties. “Officer Bet has blatantly told us that we can take this case wherever we like, but nothing will be done. So far, his words seem to be true because we are encountering one challenge after another,” she lamented.
The family’s attempts to escalate the matter beyond the local police station have also proved frustrating. They filed complaints with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and followed up with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), but their efforts have yet to yield results. Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, who has been advocating for the family, visited them at their home and has taken up their cause.
Speaking passionately about the case, Kirui has called for the immediate arrest of Officer Bet, as well as the transfer of the Moiben OCS for what he describes as a failure to uphold justice. “The OCS has been pushing for this matter to be settled out of court, which is completely inappropriate given the nature of the case. He seems to be ignoring the Sexual Offenses Act, and this negligence is why both perpetrators are walking free while the family continues to suffer,” Kirui remarked.
Kirui further added, “This is a clear case of abuse of power and obstruction of justice. We cannot allow officers of the law to engage in such practices without consequence. We demand immediate action to ensure justice is served for this young girl and her family.”
In light of these allegations, Moiben Subcounty Deputy Police Commander Stephen Okal was contacted for comment. Commander Okal denied having any knowledge of Officer Bet’s involvement in the case, stating that the family had not been cooperative with the police during the investigation. He further accused the family of attempting to tarnish the reputation of Moiben police officers. However, Okal assured Hubzmedia that he would personally intervene in the matter, promising to meet with the family and the victim to discuss their concerns.
This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the challenges many families face when seeking justice in sensitive cases involving minors and allegations of misconduct within law enforcement. The family remains hopeful that justice will eventually be served, despite the setbacks and frustrations they have encountered so far. Their case continues to raise important questions about accountability and oversight within the police force, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals.
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