Nyamira, Kenya — Public outrage has erupted across Kenya following the circulation of a video depicting the assault of a widow during her ex-husband’s funeral in Nyamira County. The incident, which saw the woman attacked by a group of men for her refusal to participate in certain burial rituals, has sparked a vehement outcry against gender-based violence under the guise of cultural practice.
Women’s rights organizations, legal advocacy groups, and governmental bodies have swiftly condemned the act. Prominent entities like the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya are demanding justice and advocating for measures to eradicate such practices.
Leah Sankaire, the Chairperson of KEWOPA and Kajiado Women’s Representative, labelled the assault as “unacceptable” and stressed the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice. “Incidents like these, where gender-based violence is intertwined with harmful cultural rites, need to be condemned unequivocally. It’s essential that punishment extends beyond arrest to actual prosecution,” Sankaire stated.
The attack occurred when the woman, who had been estranged from her ex-husband’s family for years after their separation, was unexpectedly invited by her former mother-in-law to attend the funeral. At the gravesite, she declined to perform a ritual involving the throwing of soil into the grave, which led to immediate physical assault from several male in-laws who accused her of contributing to her ex-husband’s demise.
Three individuals have been detained by the police in connection with the assault. While KEWOPA has applauded these arrests, they emphasize this response as insufficient and are calling for a robust judicial process.
“This case must serve as a benchmark demonstrating that violence against women, justified by cultural norms or not, will bear severe consequences,” Sankaire added.
Echoing Sankaire’s sentiment, NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa denounced the incident as a stark illustration of the persistent gender-based violence within the community. “These oppressive traditions that contravene our Constitution and international human rights standards survive due to the stigma and ostracism faced by those who challenge them,” Jaldesa observed, calling for communities to adopt legal and peaceful methods like mediation over violent customs.
FIDA Kenya described the attack as “heinous” and called for a united stand from police forces, community leaders, and tradition bearers to stifle such violent acts against women. Moreover, the National Police Service has also condemned the event, with spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga addressing it as an assault on human dignity, underscoring the regrettable nature of the attack caught on video.
As the victim recuperates from the assault’s physical and psychological impacts, KEWOPA highlighted the essential support needed for survivors of such violence, including medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
Furthermore, KEWOPA has called upon community leaders, religious groups, and policymakers to intensify their efforts in eradicating backward customs that jeopardize women’s safety. “We are committed to pushing for legal reforms, stronger protective measures, and heightened community awareness to root out gender-based violence,” the association confirmed.
This incident has not only triggered a national dialogue on the intersection of culture and violence but also highlighted the broader issues of gender rights and the resistance against harmful traditional norms in Kenya.