A deeply troubling video has been circulating on social media, capturing the horrific moment when a woman was stripped naked in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) by a group of Embassava route touts. The shocking incident has ignited widespread outrage, raising serious concerns about women’s safety and dignity in public spaces.

In the disturbing footage, reportedly recorded by one of the perpetrators, a lone man attempts to intervene, pleading with the mob to leave the woman alone. However, he is overpowered as dozens of men violently pull, push, and tear at the woman’s clothes, leaving her stripped completely bare, including her inner garments. The fact that this heinous act occurred in broad daylight in the heart of Nairobi, without any police intervention, underscores systemic failures in protecting citizens and enforcing the rule of law.

Misplaced Justifications for Sexual Violence

The argument often raised about women being “indecently dressed” is as irrelevant as it is offensive. What is the standard for decency, and who gets to decide? More importantly, how does stripping a woman enhance her supposed decency? Such barbaric acts not only degrade the dignity of the victim but also reflect a societal failure to respect the rights of women.

Attempts to reach Embassava Sacco management for comment were met with denial, with one supervisor claiming ignorance of the incident. Meanwhile, women across the country have taken to social media to voice their anger and call for justice. Many are demanding accountability from Embassava Sacco and disciplinary action against the touts involved.

Women Speak Out: A Cry for Justice and Change

Kenyan women, tired of enduring daily harassment and violations, are using social media to condemn this recurring pattern of abuse. Many have shared their own experiences of facing verbal and physical harassment in public spaces, highlighting how such incidents are not isolated.

“I can boldly say that we live in a society where scores of perverted men thrive on violating women. Whether you’re dressed modestly or otherwise, walking in certain areas of the city invites inappropriate comments, physical harassment, or worse,” one woman by the name Eve remarked.

An online petition on AVAAZ.org has been launched, calling on authorities to take decisive action against those who perpetrate these acts of violence. The petition, addressed to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Senator Mike Sonko, and the Nairobi OCPD, states:

“We are concerned by the trend where citizens find it acceptable to strip women naked and go unpunished. This is a high level of impunity that must be addressed. The gains made in ensuring equal rights for women and men in this country are being trampled on.”

Escalating Violence Against Women

This appalling incident comes amidst a rise in cases of rape, defilement, and other forms of sexual violence in Kenya. Victims often suffer in silence due to systemic inefficiencies, including the police’s failure to gather or preserve evidence critical for prosecution. Many perpetrators go unpunished, perpetuating a culture of impunity.

If acts of public stripping and harassment are not addressed with the seriousness they deserve, they could pave the way for even more egregious violations, such as justifying sexual assault on the pretense of provocation. Women and girls in Kenya deserve to live in a society that respects their autonomy and dignity, free from fear of violence or harassment.

Beyond enforcing stricter penalties for perpetrators, there is a need for education and awareness campaigns to challenge deeply entrenched misogyny and promote respect for all individuals.

Update on this story and how the judicial system has begun handling this case here: ‘Matatu crew that sexually assaulted woman charged with capital offence’

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