NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 7- Lobby group, Usikmye now says the recent incident where a woman was sexually attacked in broad daylight in Nairobi, is a reflection of how society treats women.
The lobby group is a survivor-centered organization working on the prevention and support of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
In a Tweet, the organisation observed that “Her screams of terror and fear are a telling story of how we invalidate women. The fact that the society is okay with sharing this video, redistributing trauma and normalizing sharing pornographic abusive content.”
The incident that occurred on March 4 only went viral after a video was shared on Monday.
The woman was seen screaming for help, as rogue boda boda riders stripped off her clothes. Other than being sexually assaulted, the rogue riders stole her cash amounting to Sh130,000 and a phone.
According to the incident report seen by Shahidi News, some even “inserted their fingers in her private part and touched her breasts.”
Senior Government officials led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi condemned the incident.
Already, police say 16 suspects have been arrested over the incident and several motorbikes seized.
Public Prosecutor, Duncan Ondimu called on police to launch a major crackdown, 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 having 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.”
A series of events, including a protest, has been planned for Tuesday, to mark International Women’s Day in Kenya.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
