Man jailed 10 years for raping 86-year-old woman in Nyeri

NAIROBI,Kenya Oct 31 – A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of raping an 86-year-old woman in Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County.

Jairus Githendu Irenyo was found guilty of rape following a prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which presented evidence linking him to the September 1, 2025 attack at Gitura Village, Kiharo Location.

The court heard that Irenyo gained entry into the elderly woman’s house by damaging a section of the wall next to her door before restraining and sexually assaulting her using force and threats of violence.

Following the attack, the survivor sought help from the area chief, fearing for her safety, and reported the incident. She also disclosed that the accused had allegedly assaulted her on previous occasions but she had remained silent out of shame.

The chief referred her to the police, setting in motion investigations that eventually led to Irenyo’s prosecution.

To prove its case, the prosecution called six witnesses, including the area chief, a neighbour who testified that they heard the survivor’s distress calls on the night of the attack, a clinical officer and the investigating officer.

The prosecution also presented medical examination records, laboratory request forms and photographs documenting damage to the survivor’s house as evidence.

In its judgment, the Mukurwe-ini Magistrate’s Court found that the prosecution had proved the elements of rape beyond reasonable doubt.

The court further found the survivor’s identification of Irenyo reliable, noting that she knew him as a neighbour and former farmhand.

His defence, including his claim that he was elsewhere when the offence occurred, was rejected by the court.

In a judgment delivered on October 14, 2026, Magistrate Agade Savai Eddah convicted Irenyo of rape contrary to Section 3(1)(a) and (b), as read with Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on October 29, 2026.

The prosecution was led by Sarah Nanyama Kitui, representing the DPP.