IPOA Chairperson Isaac Hassan. Photo/KBC Digital
By Newsflash Reporter
A former police officer, Jacob Conrad Ojiambo, has been convicted of defiling a minor following an independent investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The ruling was delivered on March 20, 2025, by the Githunguri Law Courts.
Crime committed within police post
At the time of the offense, on April 14, 2019, Ojiambo was serving as a sergeant in the Administration Police Service. IPOA’s investigation revealed that he forcibly took the young girl, a Standard Eight pupil at a local primary school, to his house within the Mitahato Administration Police Post in Githunguri, Kiambu County, where he committed the crime.
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Initially, the case was investigated by officers at Githunguri Police Station. However, IPOA intervened, launching an independent probe that found substantial evidence implicating Ojiambo. The findings were forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who upheld IPOA’s recommendation to charge him. He was subsequently arraigned in court on October 26, 2021.
Court delivers guilty verdict
After nearly four years of legal proceedings, the court ruled Ojiambo guilty of defilement under Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act. He is set to be sentenced on April 23, 2025, with expectations of a lengthy prison term.
IPOA emphasizes accountability
Following the conviction, IPOA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability within the National Police Service (NPS).
“Members of the National Police Service shall discharge their mandate professionally and responsibly in accordance with Article 244 of the Constitution,” IPOA stated.
The oversight authority emphasized its role as an independent and impartial body dedicated to upholding justice and addressing police misconduct.
Public reaction and significance
The conviction has drawn strong reactions from child protection activists and legal experts, who view it as a critical step in holding law enforcement officers accountable for crimes against minors.
“This ruling reinforces the principle that no one, not even law enforcers, is above the law. It’s a significant win in the fight against sexual violence,” said a representative from a local child rights organization.
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As Ojiambo awaits sentencing, many hope this case will serve as a deterrent against police misconduct and reinforce public trust in Kenya’s judicial system.
