Kenyans are demanding swift action, calling for the immediate arrest of a group of boys featured in a viral explicit video where they are seen abusing an unidentified woman.
In the disturbing footage, more than five boys can be heard and seen subjecting the woman to abuse, evident from her distress, while they laugh and mock her. Outraged by the video, members of the public are urging the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to intervene promptly and apprehend the perpetrators.
The emergence of this video follows just months after a previous incident where the perpetrators attained a sort of "celebrity" status, even meeting with politicians. Some speculate that the manner in which the individuals involved in the first video were treated may have emboldened them to repeat their actions.
"When this happened last time people on social media were busy glorifying immorality and made it look like some sort of achievement… They even went ahead and made the boys look like celebrities, " Cynthia Orwasa wrote.
" Now it has happened again and this time its rape… Am sure these Chepanyiny boys did it to trend like the others…. Soon these boys will run berserk and start raping young girls….So who’s to blame??? Us the Social Media handlers and the society at large , " she added.
Ministry of ICT staff David Kiprono asked for the lady for counselling and further help ." If there are leads to that lady being molested, kindly let us know we make quick work of those boys by morning"
#ArrestSigorboys is the hashtag used to call for justice as everyone hopes it gets to the relevant authorities.
Under the law, if found guilty, the perpetrators could face severe penalties, including imprisonment for a minimum of 15 years or even life imprisonment.
"Any person who commits the offence of rape or defilement under this Act in association with another or others, or any person who, with common intention, is in the company of another or others who commit the offence of rape or defilement is guilty of an offence termed gang rape and is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than fifteen years but which may be enhanced to imprisonment to life.”
