Detectives have arrested a 53-year-old man accused of sodomizing the son of a senior chief in Kirinyaga County five years ago. The suspect, identified as James Kamau Gachoki, was found hiding in Karigo-ini village in Murang’a County after years of evading justice.
According to local authorities, the arrest follows renewed pressure from community leaders and government officials who demanded action in the long-pending case. The chief revealed that he had repeatedly sought help from the police in Kianyaga and Kiamutugu, but the matter had been delayed for years despite multiple promises that the suspect would be apprehended.
The incident dates back to 2020 when the chief’s son, who was then a minor, was allegedly sodomized. For the past five years, the family has been in pursuit of justice, expressing frustration over the slow pace of investigations. The prolonged delay is said to have deeply affected the family, leading to further strain when the chief’s wife left their home, leaving him solely responsible for raising their son.
The breakthrough came during a recent public security forum held in Kerugoya, where the chief appealed for intervention. The matter was taken up, and a directive was issued for immediate action. Detectives then launched a manhunt, which eventually led them to Murang’a County, where the suspect had been living in hiding.
The chief expressed relief that the suspect was finally in custody, stating that it had been a long and painful wait for justice. His son, now 18 years old, has continued to live with the trauma of the ordeal, but the family remains hopeful that the judicial process will finally bring closure.
The suspect is currently being held at Kianyaga Police Station and is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days. Authorities have assured the family that the case will be handled with the seriousness it deserves and that justice, though delayed, will not be denied.
This arrest has reignited public debate on delayed justice in cases of sexual violence, with many community members urging law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in such sensitive matters to protect victims and restore trust in the justice system.
