Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, Hanna Wendot, says the government is looking into a viral incident where a young woman appears to be sexually assaulted by a man.
In a statement on Sunday, the CS, while reaffirming the right to dignity and privacy, said she has taken note of the disturbing video circulating publicly that involves the recording and dissemination of images of a woman in a vulnerable condition within a Nairobi entertainment establishment.
“The Ministry reaffirms that the dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy of every person are inviolable and are guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya,” Wendot said.
“Any conduct that undermines these rights, whether through action, omission, or digital transmission, is unacceptable.”
She added that the viral recording, which has attracted widespread commentary, raises serious concerns regarding consent, responsible conduct, and compliance with existing legal and ethical standards, particularly in environments where individuals may be vulnerable.
Wendot said appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, with the ministry engaging relevant agencies to review the matter.
She also cautioned against further circulation of the video or commentary, saying it will cause additional psychological harm to the woman, identified as Marion Naipei.
“The Government remains fully committed to the protection of human dignity and to the advancement of a society founded on respect, accountability and the rule of law, both offline and online,” Wendot added.
The video shows the woman in the company of another man, both appearing intoxicated at night in the entertainment joint. In the footage, the man appeared to be touching the woman inappropriately.
The woman was heard pleading with the man to stop, but he ignored her and continued to take advantage of her intoxicated state.
He later posted a video of the entire incident online, sparking widespread criticism, with many Kenyans condemning the act as a form of gender-based violence.
Nairobi County Chief Officer in charge of the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Department, Geoffrey Mosiria, confirmed that two individuals linked to the incident have been apprehended, while the main suspect who recorded the video remains at large.
Mosiria, in a statement on his social media pages, decried the incident as deeply unfortunate.
"It is deeply unfortunate that this young woman was allegedly recorded without her consent by a man who had promised to take her to the USA. Trusting him, she could not resist, only to later be exposed on social media. Marion is just 22 years old, a young woman trying to live her life. She believed she had found a partner, a man she had dated for about one year," he said.
"Instead of protecting her dignity, he is alleged to have used social media to exploit and humiliate her by sharing private content online, exposing her locally and internationally. This is unacceptable and constitutes cyberbullying and abuse."
