NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 19- When it rains, it pours.
It is the case of Edward Ndichu and Paul Ndichu, the twin brothers being accused of assaulting women at a city hotel.
The incident has since been reported to police and investigations are ongoing. Both the victims and the two brothers, who have since denied the claims, have not recorded a statement with the police.
The matter was reported on October 17 at 5 pm.
Through their firm Wapi Pay, the two brothers claimed they were only trying to neutralize a confrontation between two women who were fighting in the hotel.
Then a key investor of the firm withdrew his services- which is a big blow to the start-up business, with eyes on the African market.
“In light of the alleged assault on women by founders of our portfolio company Wapi Pay, we Kepple Africa Ventures hereby announce that we have zero tolerance on such conduct and announce that we will relinquish all the rights of our investment stake in Wapi Pay,” Ryosuke Yamawaki, a General Partner at Kepple Africa Ventures said in a Tweet.
Hours later on Tuesday, the brothers stepped aside from their current positions at the Wapi Pay, at least for the next 30 days, until “investigations are over.”
Paul was the Chief Executive Officer and his position will now be occupied by Elizabeth Kariuki, the current Chief of Operating Officer, on an interim basis.
“As indicated earlier, Wapi Pay is built on, and practices a culture of respect for all its stakeholders, employees and customers and does not tolerate any form of discrimination, including but not limited to any form of gender-based violence,” reads the statement, sent to newsrooms by Wapi Pay Board of Directors.
Earlier, the firm had said, “We are aware of a video and news story circulating on social media regarding an altercation with Eddie and Paul Ndichu, the company’s (Wapi Pay) co-founders on Saturday night. We found the story distasteful and troubling and want to firmly state that any type of behaviour involving violence against women does not reflect our values nor does it reflect those of Eddie and Paul,” reads the statement.
“Our understanding is that the allegations and video currently being shared on social media, albeit horrific and regrettable, do not depict the true events that transpired that night. To be clear, Paul and Eddie got involved in an attempt to neutralize a confrontation between two women and defend themselves from certain aggressors.”
But Eddie in a personal statement said he was “extremely saddened by the incident being highlighted across online media platforms.”
“For now, I have taken time off to reflect on this embarrassing and unfortunate situation and will cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure a speedy conclusion of the matter.”
Ole Sereni Hotel in a statement admitted there was an incident at the hotel on October 17 and was reported to the police.
It is not yet clear what progress, if any, has been made by the police 48 hours after the alleged victims of assault reported the incident.
“At the outset, please note we do not accept nor condone any such behaviour as we have an obligation to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests,” Emara Ole Sereni Group Chief Executive Officer Ghulam Samdani said in a statement.
The matter went viral after it was highlighted by vocal human rights defender Boniface Mwangi.
According to one of the victims who spoke on social media, the two brothers allegedly assaulted her sister at the hotel after they (the women) declined sexual advances.
In the video, one of the brothers is seen breaking a side mirror of a vehicle parked outside the hotel before going back to the hotel to join his brother in ‘assaulting’ a woman.
Police said they received a complaint at Akila police station in South C and the matter is under investigation.
They promised to take action as soon as the complainant return their P3 form. The matter was reported on October 17 at 5 pm. It is recorded as OB/02/17/10/2021.
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