Mombasa Activists Demand Tough Penalties for Sexual Predators to Protect Children
Group Chairperson Salim Karama addressing media. (Photo By George Otieno)
By George Otieno
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
A Mombasa-based anti-LGBTQ movement is calling for the review of bail laws to impose stiffer conditions on suspects accused of sodomy and other sexual offences, particularly those involving children.
The group, led by its chairperson Salim Karama, claims current laws are weak and grant lenient bail terms to individuals accused of sexually abusing minors, allowing them to return to their communities and potentially torment their victims.
Karama warned that this situation has left victims, mainly children-exposed to stigma, threats, and intimidation, while suspects often interfere with ongoing investigations.
The activists harshly criticized a recent case where a sodomy suspect was released on a Ksh 500,000 bail, calling it both lenient and a mockery to the victim’s family.
The suspect, a football coach, was arraigned in a Mombasa court last week for allegedly sodomizing a 12-year-old boy on multiple occasions.
“How can this happen? Imagine it was your son who was violated and then you see the suspect out on bond of Ksh 500,000? Is this really fare?” posed Karama.
He further alleged that counties such as Mombasa, Lamu, and Kilifi have seen a rise in child sodomy cases, attributing the trend to lenient bail policies.
Karama went on to accuse the judiciary of being complicit in such offences through their rulings.
The movement has now issued a warning to the judiciary, urging urgent reforms to prevent public backlash.
“We are watching, but if things don’t change, expect to see us acting as members of the community. We will not fear anybody. We will find all suspects of sodomizing children and deal with them,” he warned.
Another member of the movement, Alamin Somo, called for tougher punishments for individuals convicted of sodomizing children, saying this would serve as a deterrent.
“This coach broke the trust of the community with this heinous and devilish act. Only very tough laws like hanging the convicted will bring an end to those who take advantage of our children,” added Somo.
“There are only two punishments for such a heinous crime: life imprisonment or death. The government should not push us to the last resort, which is eliminating these villains,” he said.
The activists also expressed concern that many victims of sodomy remain silent due to stigma, blaming both the government and the community for not doing enough to support them.
Children’s rights defender Mama Zainab Abdi noted that victims of sodomy never fully recover from the trauma.
She cited three ongoing cases in Mombasa County involving young boys and blamed the courts for releasing the suspects.
Abdi also condemned individuals who contribute bail or bond money for suspects facing charges of molestation or sodomy.
“Why raise 500,000 shillings to bail someone accused of sodomy or molesting? Why don’t you put your money to good use instead of bailing out pedophiles and rapists of small children?” she added.
The movement further accused Western nations of promoting LGBTQ ideologies in Kenya and urged the government to resist foreign influence.
