A primary school teacher in Kilifi County has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of abusing his position of authority to pursue a sexual relationship with a pupil under his care.

Senior Resident Magistrate Ivy Wasike convicted the accused of abuse of position of authority contrary to Section 24(4) of the Sexual Offences Act, following testimony from six witnesses including the complainant, her mother, the school head teacher, the area assistant chief, and a clinical officer.

The offence was committed on October 21, 2021, at around 6.00pm in Ganze Sub-County, Kilifi County, where the teacher took the pupil to a bush and attempted to have sexual intercourse with her.

The teacher had earlier written the pupil a love letter.

The relationship came to light after an informer overheard school children discussing the matter and alerted a teacher, who sat down with the complainant and confirmed the allegations.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru urged the court to consider that the accused, as a teacher, was expected to be a guardian and protector of the minor, not her abuser.

In mitigation, the convicted teacher asked for forgiveness, saying he had a family that depended on him.

Magistrate Wasike noted in her ruling that this was not the first incident in Ganze Sub-County where teachers had taken advantage of vulnerable students and escaped accountability.

She applauded the school head teacher for ensuring justice was pursued rather than the matter being swept under the carpet.

The teacher’s record has been forwarded to the Teachers Service Commission through the County Director of Education.

The convict has been granted 14 days to appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.