A father and his son were sentenced on Wednesday to a one-year jail term each for assaulting a woman on false claims of causing the disappearance of the son’s genitals.
Benson Ngala Daniel, 49, and Ruphus Chai Ngala, 19, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
Kilifi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike heard that the two jointly and unlawfully assaulted Asha Samini, occasioning her actual bodily harm.
The incident occurred on July 5, 2026, at around 5.00 p.m. in Mdangarani village, Kauma sub-county, Kilifi county.
The two convicts ignited the incident when Ruphus met Asha while walking home from his farm.
After greeting her, Asha asked him, “Uko sawa?” Ruphus later claimed he felt a cold rush down his body and alleged that Asha, who was wearing a Muslim robe, had made his genitals disappear.
He called his father Benson, who rushed to the scene and grabbed the woman.
The two began assaulting her and shouting that she was responsible, attracting a crowd that joined in the attack.
Asha was rescued by members of the public before being taken to Jaribuni Police Post alongside the two accused.
Police later escorted the accused to Jaribuni Dispensary, where he was examined, and a doctor also confirmed his genitals were intact and functioning well.
Asha was referred to Kilifi County Hospital for treatment and issued with a P3 form the following day.
In mitigation, Benson told the court that his wife was unwell and his children depended on him.
Ruphus, a Grade 9 student at Mrarani, pleaded to be allowed to continue with school.
However, Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru opposed leniency and prayed to the court to punish them severely.
Nancy observed the man and his son had put the life of the complainant at a great risk.
The prosecution added that such cases of mob justice over alleged witchcraft had become prevalent at the Coast, leading to loss of lives and injuries.
The court heard that the complainant, a sole breadwinner, was still ailing and suffering urinary tract complications and a fractured hand due to the assault.
In sentencing, Wasike noted the reckless conduct of the accused in reinforcing a false narrative that endangers lives.
The trial magistrate held that the community must be deterred from taking the law into their own hands.
“Cases of this nature have caused people to lose their lives, health, and property,” she noted.
Each accused was sentenced to one year of imprisonment with effect from July 7, 2026.
The court further directed that the complainant continue receiving treatment at Kilifi County Hospital and that the Department of Gender provide her with psychosocial support.
The two convicts were granted 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.
The issue has been thorny in the area in the past days amid campaigns to denounce it.
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