Nairobi: Gender, Culture and Children services Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hanna Cheptumo has called for the immediate arrest of four brothers who were allegedly seen on video assaulting their sister, Millicent Rotiken, after she refused to reunite with an estranged husband. The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Rotiken crying for help as the men beat her with sticks.
According to Kenya News Agency, the individual who recorded the footage has been apprehended by the police, while the four brothers remain at large. CS Cheptumo, after meeting at the County Commissioner's office and visiting Rotiken's home in Nkarretta village, condemned the attack as illegal and urged for the punishment of those responsible for infringing upon the woman's rights.
Cheptumo highlighted that Rotiken, who has a four-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter, was three months pregnant during the assault. While acknowledging the cultural context, Cheptumo expressed her dismay over the incident, which she believes tarnishes the image of the community and the nation.
The CS stressed the urgency of arresting the four brothers, a sentiment shared with the security team, and emphasized that this case should deter similar unreported incidents in the region. She firmly stated that the matter would not be resolved through the Alternative Justice System (AJS) and that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
Cheptumo assured that Rotiken is now in a safe location, though the specifics were not disclosed. Narok Women's Representative Rebecca Tonkei also spoke out, asserting the right of individuals to choose their marital partners and condemning the torture Rotiken endured.
The meeting was attended by Gender and Affirmative Action PS Anne Wang'ombe, Narok North MP Agnes Pareyio, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, and several gender activists from Narok County.