DPP Haji orders investigations into case of a woman sentenced to 10 years in jail

The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has ordered investigations into the case of Lydia Achieng’ who was imprisoned for ten years despite the complainant’s attempts to withdraw the case. Achieng’ who is currently serving her jail term in Lang’ata Women Prison said she was arrested in 2010 over allegations of defiling her neighbour’s Class Eight son.

In a Twitter post, the DPP ordered an immediate follow up on the matter to unravel the circumstances under which the woman was imprisoned despite being found innocent. Speaking to Inooro TV, Achieng’ said at the time when she was accused of the crime, she was living with an orphaned young girl who she had offered to help educate.

“Despite the fact that the convict was charged during the era of Police Prosecutors and before the 2010 Constitution, the DPP has directed that an immediate follow be done,” read the tweet.

The girl is said to have gotten into a relationship with one of the neighbor’s sons but she refuted the claims saying they were only friends and they used to borrow books from one another.

Attached media clip has been brought to the attention of the DPP. Despite the fact that convict was charged during the era of Police Prosecutors and before the 2010 Constitution, the DPP has directed that an immediate follow be done. Cc @inoorotvNews

https://t.co/A1UZt5l1iS

— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) January 27, 2019

“If I find you with Rajab, I will punish you severely and take you back home,” Achieng’ warned the girl

Attorney General’s office

However, the son’s mother went ahead and initiated arrest of Achieng’ accusing her of defiling the minor. She was presented in court and charged with defilement and detained in remand for over a year with the complainant failing to attend several proceedings.

Finally, the son’s mother showed up in court and said she wanted to withdraw the case but the request was denied by the presiding judge who directed she seeks help of the Attorney General to withdraw the case.

“The judge said such cases can only be withdrawn after she presents a letter from the Attorney General asking for withdrawal,” she said.

The complainant’s efforts to access the Attorney General were futile. Achieng’ was sentenced to 10 years in jail, she tried to appeal but it was turned down by the court. She is set to be released soon.