Elgeyo Marakwet: Chief, wife arrested after woman raped in their compound

A chief, his wife and two suspects have been arrested following the brutal sexual assault of a woman in the chief’s homestead in Kapsaos, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The victim of the attack is recovering after undergoing corrective surgery on her private parts that were destroyed in the attack that also involved the use of a bottle. 

Residents have decried the incident and raised concerns over rising insecurity in the area.

The alleged incident, residents say, occurred within the chief’s compound—an area expected to symbolise law and order.

“Kapsaos hakuna security, kazi haifanyiki, tafadhali mfunge hii bar ndio watoto wetu wapate kufanya kazi,” said a resident, Lilian Goguo.

Outside a hospital in Uasin Gishu County, the victim—identified as Mary (not her real name)—is nursing both physical and emotional wounds.

What began as a search for manual work at the chief’s home, she says, turned into a traumatic ordeal that left her requiring corrective surgery.

“Ni kama huyo mtu alikuja akaninyonga, na kunikanyaga tumbo, tukang'ang'ana nikapiga nduru… tukang’ang’ana tu mpaka nikakuwa sina nguvu nikajiwachilia afanye chenye anataka,” the victim said.

She alleges that she was persuaded to stay the night, only for the chief’s wife to lock her inside, leaving her vulnerable to the attacker.

“Nikamuuliza mama Brenda mmenifanyia nini… akaniambia nyamaza akanivuruta hadi nje,” added the victim.

For the victim, while surgery may address the physical injuries, the trauma remains.

The community links this brutality to a vacuum of power. Since the local police post was closed and officers relocated, Kipsaos has become a playground for criminals. The women here say they are tired of living in the shadows.

“Tunangoja hiyo kesi tuone mahali itaenda, huyo msichana apate haki yake,” Beatrice Jemutai, a resident, noted.

For Mary, the surgery might fix the fistula, but the trauma remains a haunting companion. Her voice is a chilling reminder of the cost of insecurity.

“Mimi nilipitia mambo mingi sana… naskia uchungu ya hao watu… chenye walinifanyia ni uchungu hadi nasema sijui nijiue maisha iwachane na mimi," stated the victim.

Residents are now calling for the immediate reinstatement of the police post and a thorough investigation into the incident.