By TONY MUSISI
A third-year student at Eldoret National Polytechnic accused of defiling a 13-year-old girl has been ordered by an Eldoret court to deposit a Sh300,000 bond with a surety to secure his release.
Reuben Kadima Wabwire, 21, appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Rodgers Otieno in connection with a defilement charge contrary to Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, No. 3 of 2006.
Wabwire is accused of defiling the girl, identified in court documents by the initials G.T.Y, on diverse dates between August 4 and August 9, 2026, at Langas Estate in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
The suspect, who had been held in police custody since his arrest by detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) more than two weeks ago, denied the charge when it was read to him.
He pleaded with the magistrate to release him on reasonable bond or cash bail terms, saying he was a third-year student at Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The accused told the court that his studies were at risk of being disrupted if he was not granted lenient bond and cash bail terms.
Wabwire said his place of residence was well known and assured the court that he was not a flight risk.
“Your Honour, I pray that you release me on reasonable bond or cash bail terms to allow me sit for my examination which is coming up in a few weeks,” Wabwire pleaded.
He further assured the court that he was ready and willing to attend all court sessions whenever required.
The prosecution, however, opposed the plea, arguing that the accused posed a flight risk and that there was a possibility he could abscond court proceedings given the seriousness of the offence he was facing.
The prosecution also told the court that the suspect was likely to interfere with key witnesses lined up to testify against him during the trial.
According to court documents, four witnesses, including investigating officer Caroline Mapenzi, are expected to testify against Wabwire.
The suspect was arrested by police officers from Langas Police Station after the girl’s parents reported the alleged defilement to the authorities.
The case will be mentioned on September 28, 2026.
