German national accused of defiling minors to remain in police custody
A Nakuru based court has ruled that a German national arrested for allegedly defiling and sexually assaulting minors in various parts of the country to remain remanded.
The court said that Martin Herman Baumgartner 62, popularly known as Mato should be remanded at the Nakuru GK Prison awaiting a decision on bail today.
“We meet tomorrow for the ruling and further directions on pre-trial,” directed Nakuru Senior Resident Magistrate Emmanuel Soita.
Herman faces 14 charges including defilement, engaging in indecent acts and human trafficking among others.
The suspect according to the charge sheet is accused that between April last year and January 23, at Gigiri area in Westlands, Nairobi, intentionally and unlawfully defiled a 17-year-old.
The charge sheet also indicates that he committed the act between 2006 and 2008 at Kwa Mwangi in Bahati.
He also faces a charge of inducing an indecent act on a 15-year-old.
He is also accused of committing some of the offences in Kilifi and Kwale counties. He however denied all the 14 charges.
Chief Inspector Evalyne Mboya, who is investigating the case, said the accused has great influence and might interfere with witnesses as he has greater attachment to his victims, whom he pays for their upkeep.
“The accused is charged with serious offences. When you look at the offences, some including trans-boundary offences, trafficking in person, it should persuade you that the attempt to run away is so real. Be pleased to deny the accused person bond,” Mr Kipkoech said.
She told the court that the accused lures parents of the victims through enticement to allow him stay with their children, thus the likelihood of witnesses getting compromised.
“The accused, being the Director of Twajenga Holdings Limited Company, has great influence in the community. He is a flight risk being of dual citizenship,” she said.
Lawyer Lawrence Karanja representing Herman however denied claims that his client was a flight risk adding that he was a Kenyan.
He said the presumption was that his client was innocent of all counts, irrespective of how serious they may look.
