By Samuel Miller
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America and Oceania
OKLAHOMA CITY, United States of America — A former missionary from Oklahoma was sentenced in U.S. federal court on Monday to 40 years in prison for sexually molesting children at a Kenyan orphanage. US District Judge David L. Russell handed down the sentence to Matthew Lane Durham, who had faced up to 30 years on each of four counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.
Durham read a statement before sentencing on Monday asking the court for mercy, but did not express remorse for his offences.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged Durham targeted orphans while volunteering at the Upendo Children’s Home in Nairobi between April and June 2014. Durham had served as a volunteer since 2012 at the orphanage, which specializes in caring for neglected children.
In his statement before the courtroom, Judge Russell said, “These were heinous crimes committed on the most vulnerable victims. He was their worst nightmare come true.”
A live-in caretaker at the orphanage said that children said Durham either touched them sexually or told them to touch themselves while he watched.
When confronted by the founder of Upendo and several church members, Durham was alleged to have confessed to several instances of rape and sexual abuse of children. Evidence produced by prosecutors included handwritten, signed confessions that Durham gave orphanage officials after he was accused of inappropriate behavior.
Durham claimed he did not molest the children, but during a preliminary hearing, prosecutors said Durham told Upendo Children’s Home personnel that he thought he had been possessed by an “evil spirit” because he did not remember committing the crimes.
In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors said Durham’s actions have had a chilling and damaging effect on the lives of dozens of foreign volunteers in Kenya and elsewhere. Prosecutors stated that these volunteers “must now live under the cloud of suspicion, distrust and apprehension when they volunteer their time, talent and resources for the betterment of children in East Africa and beyond.”
US Prosecutor Mark Yancey stated: “The innocence of the child victims cannot be restored and their lives will never be the same,” adding, “It is our hope and prayer that his conviction and lengthy sentence will someday bring them some comfort and peace.”
Eunice Menja, founder of the orphanage, fought back tears as she read a statement in court. Ms. Menja said, “Matthew Durham defiled the children. Matthew has no remorse. After he got caught, he still denied.” Menja told reporters after the hearing that she hopes Durham’s 40-year sentence is long enough to prevent him from being a threat to anyone else.
“We’re hoping that when he comes out he will be a changed man,” she said.
For more information, please see:
BBC News – Ex-US missionary jailed for abusing Kenyan orphans – 8 March 2016
Sky News – Ex-Missionary Jailed For Kenya Orphanage Abuse – 8 March 2016
The News Nigeria – US missionary jailed 40 years for serial raping of Kenyan kids – 8 March 2016
The Times of India – US man jailed for 40 years for abusing Kenyan orphans – 8 March 2016
ABC News – Oklahoma Man Gets 40 Years in Prison in Kenya Orphans’ Abuse – 7 March 2016
