NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 7- The Federation of Women Lawyers- Kenya has planned a “peaceful procession” on Tuesday, in protest against violence against women and girls, in public and private places.
The procession will start from Green Park Terminus along Haile Selassie Avenue to Inspector General’s office along Taifa Road. It will start at 8 am.
The world will be marking International Women’s Day.
The announcement by FIDA came hours after a video of a woman being sexually assaulted by Boda Boda riders in Nairobi went viral.
“We strongly condemn the recent acts of violence on a young woman at Forest road by rogue Boda Boda riders,” the organisation, known for fighting for women’s rights, said in a Tweet.
“We call on the National Police Service to ensure all perpetrators are arrested and brought to book. We shall work with authorities to ensure justice for the lady.”
The incident happened on March 4.
According to police, the lady had been involved in an accident, when the riders attacked her.
They also stole her phone and cash amounting to Sh130,000.
Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said police had arrested 16 suspects on Monday evening and seized several motorcycles.
Human Rights organisations like Amnesty International-Kenya, International Commission of Jurists-Kenya and Usikimye, have condemned the incident and called for swift action against the perpetrators.
They also called for regulation in the boda boda sector, which employs at least 2 million people.
They are largely known for operating with utter impunity. They disregard traffic rules.
According to the incident report seen by Shahidi News, some of the boda boda riders even “inserted their fingers in her private part and touched her breasts.”
Senior Government officials led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi also condemned the incident.
Public Prosecutor, Duncan Ondimu called on police to launch a major crack down, targeting all rogue boda boda operators, following the incident.
“This is the time for the National Police Service to conduct a serious crackdown on boda boda who flout traffic laws. Very few of them have driving permits and insurance,” he said.
Celebrated Kenyan journalist Laura Walubengo called on stringent measures against rogue boda boda operators, saying they must be accountable for their actions.
“How did we get this low? If we so readily oppress one another… are we so badly scarred that we’ve such little respect for each other? Boda riders need to be kept in check. Uber-style accountability,” she said in a Tweet.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also condemned the incident, saying “it is my prayer that this is the last act of violence against women we witness by Boda Boda riders.”
Just like other Kenyans, the ODM leader said, the riders should be subjected to law.
“Boda Boda riders are not above the law and like any industry, needs to be regulated,” he asserted.
“We ask that this incident calls us a society to sobriety and the Government moves with speed to fully regulate the transport sector; Boda Bodas included.”
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