Sh500,000 raised for teen gang-rape victim

Kenyans responded overwhelmingly to a campaign to support a pupil who was attacked and raped by a gang of six youths more than three months ago in Busia County.

The girl is now confined to a wheelchair and has developed obstetric fistula, a condition that leaves a woman with a leaking bladder.

The case was reported on June 27 at Tingolo AP camp and recorded as assault.

Three suspects arrested by the public were released after slashing grass at the AP compound.

And yesterday, Nation readers continued to express dismay at the failure by police to arrest suspects whose names they have.

The Nation highlighted the girl’s story and initiated a campaign dubbed: “Stand with Liz. Help her walk again’’.

The media house offered to pay for her medical expenses and rehabilitation, which doctors at the Gynocare Fistula Centre where she is admitted, have put at Sh600,000.

By yesterday, Kenyans had contributed more than Sh500,000 just a week after the campaign kicked off.

Nation Media Group marketing director Ann Gittao-Kinyua said: “We are grateful to Kenyans for their generosity and support for Liz.

As of October 14, over 500,000 had been received in the account set up by NMG.’’

Well-wishers can send their contributions to M-Pesa pay-bill number 500944, or Account number 161616, not 544900 as erroneously reported in the weekend editions, which belongs to Overdrive Consultant Ltd.

Went into hiding

Overdrive managing director Keval Devani has assured readers that any money sent to his company account would be sent to the Liz medical kitty.

In Butula, area CID boss Shadrack Bundi said yesterday police were searching for the suspects, who went into hiding when the story broke.

Mr Bundi accused teachers at local schools where three of suspects learn of refusing to cooperate with the police.

Butula assistant police boss Jackson Oloo complained of “a common practice” in Tingolo where people are reluctant to offer information.

“Tingolo is one place where you can make arrests, take suspects to court and the cases are discontinued for lack of witnesses; these are some of the problems we face,” he said.

Those on social media, especially Facebook and Twitter have mounted a campaign to push police to act.

The Coalition on Women Against Violence (COVAW) has written a petition which Kenyans including those in the diaspora have been signing to demand justice for Liz.

The case was first reported on June 27 at Tingolo Administration Police camp and recorded as assault.

Three suspects arrested by the public were released after slashing grass at the compound as “punishment.’’