A young Kenyan woman identified as Mercy Mwende has shared how a meeting arranged through Facebook eventually led to her imprisonment for 20 years. The woman, who comes from the Londiani area, says her life took a difficult turn shortly after completing her secondary school education.
In an interview published by TUKO News on April 13, 2026, Mwende explained that she first connected with a young man on Facebook after obtaining a phone following her KCSE examinations in 2022. The two continued communicating and eventually developed a romantic relationship.
Their first physical meeting took place when Mwende and a female friend travelled to Elburgon for a photoshoot. According to her account, they were unable to find a matatu home after the event ended late in the evening.
The young man reportedly offered them accommodation for the night, promising that they could travel the following morning. Mwende said she slept in a different bedroom from her friend, who occupied another room.
The following morning, the man reportedly left, saying he was going to assist his mother at her eatery. Mwende later discovered that the door had been locked from outside.
She said an elderly woman who turned out to be the man’s grandmother arrived to clean the compound. When Mwende asked her to open the door, the woman allegedly raised an alarm and attracted the attention of neighbours.
Mwende told TUKO that she was shocked when the young man was later brought to the police station wearing a school uniform. She said she and her friend were subsequently arrested and charged with defilement.
According to her account, both families later attempted to resolve the matter outside court. Mwende alleged that her family offered money but could not meet a final demand of KSh 300,000.
She said she was eventually convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison, with her sentence expected to end in 2037. She also revealed that she was pursuing an appeal in the hope of having her case reconsidered.
Her account has drawn attention to the life-changing consequences of criminal proceedings and the importance of understanding the legal implications of relationships involving minors.