By A, KNA
Maa leaders and gender activists have strongly condemned an incident where four brothers are seen in a video viciously beating their pregnant sister for allegedly marrying a man who was not their choice.
In the video that went viral on social media, the woman is seen helplessly struggling to defend herself and pleading for help as her bitter brothers cane her with Maasai rungus.
The incident, which has since been condemned widely as a blatant case of gender-based violence (GBV), happened at Nkaretta area in Narok North Sub County.
According to the locals, the woman by the name Millicent Semeita had resisted attempts by her family members to force her to return to her first husband, whom together they had two children.
Instead, the woman preferred to be married by another man of her choice, a decision that her family strongly opposed.
The Police intervened and Semeita was rescued along with her two children and taken to Narok County Referral Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment and counseling.
The man she was being forced to marry was also arrested and is currently in custody at Narok Police Station.
Narok County Woman Representative, Rebecca Tonkei, in her Facebook page condemned the incident and called for immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
“I strongly demand that the relevant authorities move with speed to investigate this heinous act and ensure that all perpetrators are arrested and face the full force of the law. Justice must be served, and such acts of cruelty must never be normalised in our society, ”Tonkei said
Kajiado County Woman Representative and Chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), Leah Sankaile, also condemned the incident and called for justice to be served.
“I am utterly heartbroken and my spirit shattered in the twenty-first century; our girls and women are still subjected to retrogressive cultural practices and their rights violated. I call upon our leaders and security team from Narok to hearken to the heartbreaking cry of this girl, and together—let’s take action,” said the women rep.
Narok North Member of Parliament Agnes Pareyio also condemned the incident saying any form of gender-based violence is unacceptable and grave violation of human rights and called upon security agencies to urgently investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
“As a community, we must protect the dignity, safety and rights of our women and girls. Forced marriages and violence against women have no place in our society,” said Pareyio.
Narok County police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected, particularly targeting the family members involved in the assault.
The Narok Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) head Gitonga Murang’a also directed that investigations be undertaken and the attendant file be forwarded for their perusal and directions within seven days.
County officials and local activists have called for immediate prosecution of all those involved, as well as community sensitisation efforts to tackle deeply-rooted cultural practices that promote forced marriages.
The case has reignited national debate over the enforcement of the Sexual Offences Act and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, as forced marriage is often linked to other harmful practices in pastoral communities.
As the country continues to grapple with cases of gender-based violence, the story of Semeita serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for reforms, awareness, and community responsibility in protecting vulnerable women and girls.