A wave of outrage has erupted online after police arrested a man accused of hiding with a missing schoolgirl in Sotik, Bomet County.
According to reports, the Grade 5 pupil from Soyoin Primary School in Kamungei, Sotik Sub-county, had been missing for several days before being found in Kapkoros.
The girl, a resident of Surek Village, was reported missing on October 19, 2025, sparking a frantic search by family and local authorities. Her disappearance caused growing concern in the community, until she was finally discovered in hiding with a middle-aged man.
Police officers from Kapkoros and Kapletundo stations swiftly moved in, rescuing the minor and taking her to safety. The suspect was immediately arrested and placed in custody pending investigations.
The incident has triggered a public outcry, with Kenyans on social media condemning the act and calling for stricter laws to protect minors. Many also urged the government to intensify awareness campaigns to educate the public on the legal consequences of child exploitation.
Cases of defilement and child abuse have been steadily increasing across the country, leaving parents and guardians deeply worried about the safety of school-going children.
Under Kenyan law, defiling a minor can attract a prison sentence of up to 35 years, depending on the victim’s age and the circumstances of the case.
As investigations continue, Kenyans have demanded that the suspect face the full force of the law, warning that leniency in such cases only fuels more tragedies.
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