Teacher jailed for 10 years over romantic relationship with student

A primary school teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for abusing his position of authority to engage in a romantic relationship with his student.

Gipson Ziro Shida,43, was acquitted of defilement, a more serious charge, but convicted of abusing his position of authority to pursue a sexual relationship with the minor.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) presented six witnesses to testify in the case, including the minor, her mother, the school head teacher, the area assistant chief, and a clinical officer.

The prosecution told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 21, 2021, in Ganze Sub County within Kilifi County, where he took advantage of his position to abuse the minor.

The relationship between the teacher and the student was discovered when an informer overheard schoolchildren discussing the issue and informed one of the teachers, who had a sitting with the minor, and she confirmed the allegations.

The minor told the court that on the fateful day, the teacher took her to a bush and attempted to have sexual intercourse with her. Earlier, the teacher had written her a love letter.

Through Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru, the prosecution urged the trial court to consider that the accused was a teacher who was expected to be the guardian instead of an abuser of the minor.