Stand up for Liz: Raped girl undergoes surgery
What you need to know:
- The girl was gang-raped by six youths on the night of June 26 who, after the attack, dumped her in a pit latrine to conceal the crime
- When the matter was first reported at Tingolo Administration Police Camp on June 27, it was recorded as an assault and the three suspects arrested by villagers were released after they were made to slash grass in the compound as “punishment”
The Busia pupil who was violently attacked and raped by a group of young men three months ago finally underwent the first of two surgeries to repair a spinal injury caused by the attack.
The Standard Seven girl from Tingolo village was gang-raped by six youths on the night of June 26 who, after the attack, dumped her in a pit latrine to conceal the crime.
As a result, the girl developed a severe spinal injury and cannot walk or stand and is now confined to a wheelchair. She has also developed obstetric fistula, a condition that leaves a woman with a leaky bladder.
Doctors Hillary Mabeya and Florentius Koech, who are also lecturers at Moi University’s School of Medicine, carried out the operation on the pupil yesterday.
Her shocking story was published exclusively by the Nation’s DN2 on October 8, 2013. However, two weeks later, the police are yet to arrest any of the suspects although they have names of three.
When the matter was first reported at Tingolo Administration Police Camp on June 27, it was recorded as an assault and the three suspects arrested by villagers were released after they were made to slash grass in the compound as “punishment”.
Butula CID boss Shadrack Bundi says the suspects went into hiding soon after the story was published. Kenyans have also supported Liz’s bid for justice and bid to regain her life and have contributed more than Sh600,000 towards her medical kitty.
The Nation Media Group initiated a support campaign dubbed: “Stand up for Liz. Help her walk Again.” The company has also offered to pay for her medical expenses and rehabilitation which doctors at Gynocare have put at Sh600,000. Well-wishers can send donations to M-Pesa paybill number 500944, account 161616.
