Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 409
- 98
James Ikonya, a 54-year-old senior nurse attached to Maralal County Referral Hospital, had been in a romantic relationship with the mother of a 15-year-old girl. What began as a relationship between two adults would later take a dramatic turn, ending with Ikonya before a magistrate and facing a lengthy prison sentence.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident happened on May 23, 2025, after the girl’s mother travelled out of town and left Ikonya to care for her three children. The court heard that during the early hours of the morning, Ikonya entered the children’s bedroom and sexually assaulted the 15-year-old. The girl later disclosed what had happened after her mother returned.
Ikonya denied the charge when he first appeared in court. However, after hearing the evidence, Maralal Senior Principal Magistrate Gatambia Ndung’u found him guilty, describing the offence as a serious breach of trust because he had been entrusted with the safety of the children. The court subsequently sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
The case has drawn attention to the responsibility adults have when placed in positions of trust around children. The court also granted Ikonya 14 days within which to appeal against both the conviction and sentence.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident happened on May 23, 2025, after the girl’s mother travelled out of town and left Ikonya to care for her three children. The court heard that during the early hours of the morning, Ikonya entered the children’s bedroom and sexually assaulted the 15-year-old. The girl later disclosed what had happened after her mother returned.
Ikonya denied the charge when he first appeared in court. However, after hearing the evidence, Maralal Senior Principal Magistrate Gatambia Ndung’u found him guilty, describing the offence as a serious breach of trust because he had been entrusted with the safety of the children. The court subsequently sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
The case has drawn attention to the responsibility adults have when placed in positions of trust around children. The court also granted Ikonya 14 days within which to appeal against both the conviction and sentence.