Fear, trauma grip Magadi villages as serial rapist remains at large

Over the past ten months, seven women and girls have fallen victim to a serial sexual predator who remains at large, despite repeated pleas for intervention from the community.

The serene landscapes of Esonorua village, with its lush green shrubbery, belie the harrowing reality faced by women and girls in the area.

A relentless assailant has been targeting women of all ages—young girls, middle-aged women, and even elderly grandmothers—leaving a trail of physical and psychological scars.

The attacks have forced women to limit their movements, even during daylight hours. Simple tasks such as fetching water, collecting firewood, or tending to livestock now require male accompaniment to ensure safety.

In one particularly distressing incident, an 85-year-old grandmother, whose identity has been concealed for privacy, recounted her ordeal. Last Sunday, while traveling from her home village to Esonorua to visit her school-going grandchildren, she was ambushed by the attacker.

“He came from nowhere, choked me until I fell down, and dragged me into the thickets,” she said. “I begged him to release me, but he raped me. I woke up feeling dizzy and disoriented.”

The elderly woman was rescued by her daughter-in-law, who took her home before a medic from a clinic 58 kilometers away was called to attend to her. Dennis Cheruiyot, the attending nurse, described her condition: “She was unable to walk and complained of severe pain throughout her body. I administered first aid and referred her to Tinga Government Hospital for further treatment.”

Tragically, the same attacker reportedly assaulted two other women in the area that day, including a 12-year-old girl. The young victim attempted to flee but was overpowered by the assailant, who threatened her with a knife.

These incidents are part of a disturbing pattern that began in April 2024 in Olkeri village. One mother shared her anguish after her 13-year-old disabled daughter was raped in their home. “My manyatta didn’t have a door because it was still under construction. The attacker entered at night, took my daughter from her bed, and raped her on the floor,” she said. The family had been preparing a fundraiser to seek specialized medical treatment for the girl, who suffers from pelvic region challenges.

The community has expressed frustration over the perceived inaction by authorities. Lucy Ngoirishishe, a resident of Magadi, criticized the local administration for its lax response. “We have reported these cases repeatedly, but little has been done. We feel abandoned by those entrusted with our safety,” she said.

In response, Sarah Sereu, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Kajiado, assured residents that efforts are underway to address the crisis. “I have reached out to the gender department, our partners, and Kajiado Referral Hospital’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) center to provide psychological counseling for the victims,” she said.

Kajiado West Police Commander Ephantus Kariuki confirmed that four defilement cases and three rape cases are under investigation. A suspect linked to the latest incident, which occurred on February 14, has been arrested and is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday. Detectives from Kajiado North are also combing the area in search of additional suspects.