Senators to escalate case of woman assaulted in Nyamira over burial rites
Women leaders in the country have vowed to escalate the case of Mellen Mogaka, the woman who was assaulted after she refused to observe a burial rite for her late husband in Nyamira County.
In a joint statement at the Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, nominated Senator Veronica Nduati said that the parliamentary women leaders in the country will forward the complaints for action by the relevant taskforces.
“KEWOPA and KEWOSA will be presenting their views to the relevant taskforces, and we call on all women in Kenya to share information on any retrogressive cultures that are even being done in the absence of cameras and are aiding gender-based violence,” Nduati observed.
Condemn violence
The leaders equally condemned the incident in Nyamira where the woman was assaulted and thrown into the grave where her late husband was buried after she failed to observe a rite of pouring soil into the grave.
“We strongly condemn and denounce the cruel, inhumane, degrading, abhorrent and violent assault that Mellen Mogaka was subjected to in Nyamira County,” Nduati noted.
“The violent assault and criminal behaviour by the gang of criminal adult men who descended upon her while she had gone to attend the funeral of her late ex-husband was uncalled for and has no place in our modern society.”
Church and administration officers
The legislator equally remarked that members of the public and officials from the national administration were to blame for standing by and watching helplessly as the woman was assaulted in front of her children.
“Unfortunately, she was in the company of her children, whom she had brought to pay last respects and to bury their father. This was taking place in broad daylight in the presence of those who were in attendance; and we assume including the church which was presiding over the funeral, community leaders and administration officers,” Nduati said.
“Culture protects and preserves dignity, and no amount of hiding behind any culture can ever justify this form of violations that were meted against the widow.”
On Monday, March 24, 2025, police stated that three people had been arrested in connection with the violence.
“The victim has since been located, and three suspects were swiftly arrested. They remain in custody, pending processing and arraignment. We wish to thank members of the public for providing crucial information, which led to these arrests. As a Service, we remain committed to upholding law and order,” NPS stated.
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Arnold Ngure
General reporter with a bias for crime reporting, human interest stories and tech.
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