Stand with Liz and help her walk again

A campaign pushing for the arrest and prosecution of suspects who violently attacked and gang-raped and a Busia pupil four months ago has gone global. PHOTO/NATION

What you need to know:

  • Readers reacted with shock and horror to the story, with many asking how they could help the girl.
  • Those willing to assist the girl can send donations to M-Pesa Paybill number 500944. Account number 161616
  • Nation Media Group to galvanise the public to raise funds towards Liz’s treatment and rehabilitation.
  • We also plan to keep her story alive until the perpetrators of this crime are brought to book.

On Tuesday this week, Nation.co.ke carried a story about a Standard Seven girl who, three months ago, was waylaid by a group of six men, beaten up and raped, then dumped in a pit latrine.

Today, the happy-go-lucky girl who had hoped to one day become the CEO of a leading company is confined to a wheelchair.

Doctors say she might have broken her spinal cord either during the rape ordeal or after she was thrown in the pit latrine.

And, as if that is not tragic enough, the girl has developed obstetric fistula, a condition that leaves a woman with a leaking bladder and, in extreme conditions such as hers, leakage of stool as well.

Readers reacted with shock and horror to the story, with many asking how they could help the girl — whom we shall henceforth call Liz to protect her identity — on her journey to recovery.

The National Assembly’s committee on National Security Wednesday said it would take up the matter, with Chairman Asman Kamama saying MPs want to find out why police did not take action against the teenager’s attackers.

“This is a shocking and unbelievable matter,” said the URP MP for Tiaty. “We want to establish whether there was any commission or omission.’’

As Mr Kamama read the riot act on the police, the Nation Media Group was setting up an account to help offset Liz’s medical bills, and today we publish some of the thousands of messages of goodwill to the brave girl we have received in the past few days.

Ms Anne Gitao-Kinyua, the Nation Media Group Marketing Director, says it is all for a worthy cause because, as a media organisation, “we encounter heart-wrenching stories every day, but every now and then we come across a case that is particularly moving”.

“Liz’s story is one such example,” says Ms Kinyua. “Not only did she suffer a brutal crime that changed her life forever, she was also denied justice. The response from our readers has been overwhelming and they have called and written to us asking how they can help. Nation Media Group has therefore taken the initiative to galvanise the public to raise funds towards Liz’s treatment and rehabilitation. We also plan to keep her story alive until the perpetrators of this crime are brought to book.”

Well, as one of our readers says, the strength of a community lies in its people.

The philosophy of Ubuntuism, the ideology that I cannot be me without you, must thrive within us if we are to achieve any upward mobility, and Liz, at her greatest time of need, reminds us of that divine calling.

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Hello,

I read Liz’s story with lots of tears in my eyes.... I can’t stop shedding tears. Her life has been changed forever.

Thank God for time, she will learn to live with the pain. How can I be of help? Is there an M-Pesa number I can use?

She needs a lawyer who will make sure those six beasts are locked in forever.

Thank you so much for highlighting this, and for the other articles you have been doing. This is a good job.

Wairimu Mahinge

Nairobi

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Dear Liz,

In case you haven’t received enough donations by now, we warmly invite you and your mother to come to Nairobi and stay at our Half-Way House while undergoing the necessary operations at a hospital of your choice.

If the donations that you have received will not be enough to pay for your medical bills, we will provide for payment of the same.

Irene (Director) and NEST Team

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Hello,

I am shocked and disturbed by this story.

I am a law student at Moi University and my friends and I plan to visit the girl and help follow up her case.

I propose that we do something to help her access the medical procedure she requires. Let’s do something, say, a walk or a fundraising. We are ready to marshall Moi University students.

Mulati Daniel

Moi University

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Hello,
Liz needs both medical and society’s help.

I would like to contribute Sh50,000 towards her medical bill. Please confirm with the doctor what treatment can be done with that and liaise with me to confirm in whose name can I write the cheque.

Suresh Kanotra

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Hello,

My name is Terry Kunina, the Programme Associate for Advocacy and Campaign Management at Coalition on Violence Against Women.

This story was brought to our attention and we would like to follow up and see that the young girl gets justice.

We would like to request for any contacts you may have that can assist us in this process.

These could include the MP’s contacts, the hospital’s contacts, and the police contacted.

This is an atrocity and as an organisation we would like to do the best we can to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that Liz receives the best care possible.

Any assistance on this will be much appreciated.

Terry Kunina.

COVAW—Kenya

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To the writer,

I commend you for the courage to bring a story of such magnitude to light. May God bless you. As for Liz, you are indeed a champion.

I have read about your dreams and ordeal. What amazes is that you still have that audacity of hope. You will overcome.

You will rise again. I pray that you quickly get well, be on your feet and achieve your dreams.

Life is for people like you and the Almighty God is ever with you.

Daniel Misiani

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Hello,

I read the story with total disbelief and disgust. That such a thing can happen in Kenya today is totally unacceptable.

What is all this talk about police and judicial reforms then? Sometimes one just hates being a Kenyan! What about the local leadership? County Women’s Representative, the local chief....

We wish her well, but I also wish other legal bodies, including FIDA and Kituo Cha Sheria, would come out and ensure that Liz’s tormentors are brought to book, and fast.

Action must also be taken on the local police where the incident was first reported.

One can already smell a rotten rat. Why did the APs take the matter so casually? Thank you for highlighting Liz’s suffering.

Please do not let this matter die. Keep up the pressure!

James Muriuki

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Hello,

I read the story of Liz in dismay as tears welled in my eyes. I am appalled that the police would let such a heinous act go unpunished.

What the attackers — those sorry excuses of human beings — did to Liz is intolerable.

Why the governor’s office would ignore such a serious matter is incomprehensible. I pray for Liz that she will soon walk again and fulfill her dream of becoming a CEO.

Action should be taken against the criminals and also the policemen who are sleeping on their jobs, because what they are telling these rapists is ‘what you did was okay, you can do it again and get away with it’. Something NEEDS to be done.

Something HAS to be done.

Muthoni Wangari

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Hello,

Thank you so much for having featured this shocking and saddening story. I’m in tears, pain, and anger, to say the least. I’m a woman, a mother and a Kenyan, and it makes me so sad, so mad to imagine that justice was not given to this girl.

If our society does not stand up and fight for Liz, then we have sent a message to people that it is okay to rape and harm someone, and all you can do is “cut grass” while a girl’s dream is shattered.

It just breaks my heart that we do not have enough justice to keep our people safe.

Please keep us updated on how Liz does. I shall make a small kitty donation to help our sister. Thanks so much for giving a voice to Liz.

Evelyn Maishipai Brenda,

Germany

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To Liz,

It really saddens me to read your story and know that there are human beings out there who can be so barbaric.

But on the other hand I am touched by your courage and inspired by your will to not only survive, but also overcome such difficult circumstances.

But the most tragic thing is the apathy in people we expect protection from — the law enforcers. I would like to support you by donating towards your medical fund.

Let me know where I can channel my donation. Keep up your spirit and you will overcome. Remember, you are a survivor, not a victim.

David Ogucha

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Hello,

I am so deeply disturbed by your article. I used to live in — and deeply love — Kenya, although now I live in Pakistan where women are raped and mutilated and murdered every day.

It is sickening, as is the failure of the system to protect them.

The apathy of the people who do not care for the lives of their daughters, sisters and mothers is also sickening.

Will you please let me know if any action has been taken? I would like to recommend to my colleagues in Kenya that they follow up on your excellent article.

Katharine Houreld Afghanistan/Pakistan Correspondent

Thomson Reuters

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Dear Rugene,

I have read your story on Liz and it is disheartening to learn that the county authorities have done nothing about it.

What about the Busia County Women’s Representative? Is she in the know? If so, what has she done about it?

Is there an M-Pesa helpline where funds can be channeled to assist in her recovery? I feel we should embrace the WE ARE ONE concept and help in whatever way we can.

As Kenyans we should help this girl get her life back on track and also punish the culprits who did this.

The body mandated to deal with women’s rights should take her case and pursue justice for her.

Simon Kamau

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Hello,

I read this with total sadness. The first move is to appeal to well-wishers to contribute towards her treatment and rehabilitation to realise her dream.

A bank account or M-Pesa number would do. I pledge my personal contribution of Sh5,000. Secondly, can we hire a good lawyer and pay from the contributions for her to find the elusive justice?

Victor Mugambi

National Project Coordinator

Community Development Trust

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Hello,

I’ve just read about the story and I must confess I am very hurt. It’s painful to know there exists such injustices in Kenya.

The six men who did this to Liz should not just be arrested, but sentenced to death. Where is justice?

Who gets to speak on behalf of the powerless and voiceless? Harsher laws and punishments need to be put in place for such creatures.

They do not deserve to live among us!

Lynn,

Nairobi

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Hello,

Thank you for this story.

I wish I had not read it though. It has left me drained emotionally and physically, and psychologically sick as well. It saddens and angers me to the core and leaves me raging with madness.

What an injustice! Highlight this case more on TVs, radios and newspapers. Media coverage is the greatest contribution for justice to humanity.

Marshal Kenyans to contribute, in their small and big ways, to this girl’s treatment.

Samson Mburu.

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Hello,

As a woman, I am distressed and, as a mother of a daughter, tormented by the whole saga.

I am trying to come to terms with the kind of society we are raising our children in and I cannot fathom the amount of rot in it.

Worse still, the police recommended she showers knowing very well it would interfere with the evidence.

Were they covering up? And what about the villagers who heard her cries and did nothing until the next day?

The African society has really crumbled. I am because I am, not because we are. Thanks for telling this to the world.

Muthoni Kariuki

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Hello,

This is truly sad. I cannot believe Kenyans can commit such a barbaric crime and be free! My message to Liz: Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope.

You will get through this and even if the law seems to be failing you, God will revenge on your behalf.

I am keeping you in my prayers, Liz, and I am asking God for a special miracle for your healing.

I would like to send some contribution towards Liz’s medical care, where can I do that? I am sure other Kenyans will be willing to help. Since you brought us the story please help us help her.

Elsie Nyambura,

CPAK

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Hello,

Thank you very much for bringing to light the horror and impunity of this story.

As a women’s rights organisation, we are horrified and want to inquire how we can assist.

We also want to mobilise action against the police for failing to uphold Liz’s basic rights.

Nebila Abdulmelik

Femnet

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Hello,

Sickening story indeed. Too little done. Does that mean the society condones those hyenas?

That’s how hyenas behave — attack in a pack, pillage and leave nothing behind. The hyenas also tried to kill her, and because they attempted murder, that’s part of the crime.

If a society that covers up men’s sins does not change itself, then it must not forget that a day of reckoning is coming where those who were criminals, and those who kept quiet and did nothing, will both be “fired”.

Sh Manzar

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Is there any justice for the defenseless in Kenya? Where is the Inspector General of Police? Where is the Director of Public Prosecutions?

Where are our sweet talking politicians? And who accuses the mobs when they decide to exercise instant justice?

Yes, because our police, our authorities, and our justice systems have failed.

kipunpung’it

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This is horror! Can an M-Pesa line be created for donations to treat the young girl?

Please keep us posted on when the attackers get arrested. The police conveniently advised the mother to let the girl take a shower.

How unfortunate! The people who are supposed to protect us, betray us. This broke my heart.

obotchereret

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This is the most shocking and horrifying story I have read in my entire life.

I am completely speechless and shocked about how human beings can behave in such a cruel and shocking behaviour.

What has the world come to?

Why can’t women and vulnerable girls get more support and care? Why are some people so carefree?

This girl has lost everything because of those six men. Her dream, trust and self-worth now stand on shaky grounds. She needs justice.

Something should be done, please. Get her back to health and jail the psychos for life. If it was here in Australia, they would be rotting in jail. God bless you, Liz.

Kawira.

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Dear Njeri Rugene,

This is a truly heart-breaking story and I would like to try and help.

Do you have an estimate of how much she would need to cover her medical cost for a spinal cord and fistula surgery?

If yes, I would like to organise on how we can fundraise for her. Please let me know if this is possible, how it can be done and how much she needs.

Wawira Njiru

Program Director Food for Education Trust