Kenya’s Chief Justice calls for arrests in high-profile gang rape case

VANCOUVER – Outcry over a gang rape case in Kenya has prompted the country’s chief justice to call for arrests of six suspects who have been identified but not charged.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said he wants “immediate action” on the case involving a 16-year-old girl, known by the pseudonym “Liz.”

Six men allegedly attacked Liz the night of June 26 as she walked home from her grandfather’s funeral.

According to Kenya’s Daily Nation, the men took turns raping her for several hours before tossing her unconscious into a six-metre deep latrine pit.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

She survived the attack, managing to pull herself up the side of the pit to call for help, but suffered internal injuries and an injured spine and is now confined to a wheelchair.

The Daily Nation reported Liz recognized three of her alleged attackers and was able to name them. But once the three men to the police camp, they were reportedly told to cut the grass as punishment, then released.

Eventually all six accused assailants were identified, but no arrests have been made.

View image in full screen

READ MORE: Over 1 million call for justice following alleged gang rape in Kenya

The case has captured global attention thanks to an online petition condemning sexual violence against women and calling for police accountability.

“…Women’s groups in Kenya say nothing will truly change unless the government is put under the global spotlight,” the petition reads.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Amina Mohamed and Devolution and Planning Secretary Anne Waiguru have also issued statements condemning sexual violence.

“As a woman and a mother, I am outraged and angered by this inhumane, traumatizing and inexcusable violation,” the Daily Nation reported Mohamed saying in a statement. “The perpetrators of this heinous and barbaric offences must endure the full force of the law and receive maximum penalty for their actions.”

“As the ministry responsible for gender, we wish to emphasize our conviction and great resolve to end violence against women, girls or indeed any other person and further ask for speedy conclusion of investigations in the case of Liz,” Waiguru said last week.

Last week, more than 300 protesters gathered outside the offices of Kenyan Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo to denounce the grass-cutting punishment and to call for action to be taken against the police officers who administered it.