Kenya:Activists hold demos over rise in sexual assaults

By Samuel Ouma

Activists hold placards during a protest against alleged rape of three girls at Moi Girls School

Activities came to a standstill in Nairobi, Kenyan capital city, after a group of activists staged demonstration demanding the arrest of suspects who allegedly defiled a student.

Moi Girl’s school, a learning institution located in the capital, was indefinitely closed last week following defilement of a student and assault to two others by unknown people at night.

Kenya Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed ordered the closure of the school to pave way for the investigations. She also dissolved the school’s Board of Management and Parents Association.

Amina appointed 9-member interim board to oversee the management of the school. The team consisted of senior officials from the ministry and Teacher Service Commission.

The school reopened on June 10 amid protests on security. Some parents have threatened not to take their children back without knowing what transpired on the fateful night.

Led by their leader Cecilia Ayoti, the protesters stormed into Amina’s office, asking her to take stern action on those responsible to avoid the occurrence of the similar incidents in future.

“If we do not act on such incidents and let the perpetrators walk free, we risk future and worse attacks,’’ said Ayot.

Meanwhile, six people have been questioned by police including the security guards who were on duty, two students and the doctor who examined the defiled girl.

Detectives and the Government chemist had taken DNA samples from eight staff members of the school, among them six teachers for forensic analysis.

The Moi Girls School’s incident happened barely eight months after the fire which source has not been established torched the school’s premises claiming ten lives of the students and property worth millions of shillings were destroyed.