A 2022 KCSE candidate from Sotik, Mercy Mwende, is now serving a 20-year prison sentence following a case that has raised questions about youth vulnerability, online relationships, and the criminal justice process.
Mercy, who scored a C+ in her KCSE examinations, had reportedly connected with a man through Facebook shortly after completing her exams.
The two communicated for some time and developed a relationship before eventually meeting in person.
The meeting occurred in Elburgon, where Mercy had travelled with a friend for a back-to-school photoshoot. After the session, the two found themselves stranded as it was too late to secure transport back home.
Mercy’s boyfriend offered them accommodation for the night at his residence, suggesting they travel the following day. The two agreed.
According to the account, the night passed without incident. The following morning, the man allegedly left the house at around 5:30 a.m., claiming he was heading to Elburgon town to assist his mother at their hotel.
He reportedly told the two girls he would call them later with instructions on when to leave.
About an hour later, the man’s grandmother, who was already awake and cleaning the compound, was contacted and asked to open the door, which had been locked from the outside. Upon opening, the situation quickly escalated.
The grandmother raised alarm, accusing the girls of wrongdoing and claiming they had been involved with a schoolboy.
In the chaos that followed, Mercy’s friend reportedly pushed the elderly woman and fled the scene. Mercy, however, was arrested and taken to a police station.
The boy in question was later brought in, still in his school uniform, and medical examinations were conducted. Authorities concluded that a sexual encounter had taken place.
Both Mercy and her friend were subsequently arrested and charged with gang rape and defilement. The case took a complex turn as both families attempted to resolve the matter in court.
They reportedly compensated the grandmother with KSh 50,000 following the altercation.
However, efforts to settle the matter stalled. While the boy’s mother was said to be open to resolving the issue, the grandmother allegedly increased her demands, first asking for KSh 100,000 and later KSh 300,000—an amount the families could not raise.
The case proceeded in court, where Mercy’s friend was acquitted of both charges due to insufficient evidence. Mercy, however, was found guilty of defilement and sentenced to 20 years in prison.