Police squad formed to hunt down suspects stripping women in public

Kenya: A special police squad has been formed to hunt down men who are stripping women in public.

The "Anti-Stripping Squad" to be based in Nairobi has more than a dozen officers and is focusing specifically on increasing cases of attacks on women.

This came as police appealed to a woman captured screaming for mercy from men sexually harassing her in a clip being circulated on social media to record a statement.

The clip appears to have been captured in a matatu the woman had boarded, with at least three men harassing her. It has since emerged it was a matatu in Githurai.

Nairobi head of CID Nicholas Kamwende said yesterday they were interested in talking to the woman for action.

Take action

"I appeal to her to come to my office so we can take action on the men who stripped and assaulted her. We will treat her information in confidence," said Kamwende.

In the clip, the men are seen groping the woman and at one point one of them threatens to insert a bottle in her private parts.

Yesterday, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) sought special permission from the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute men found stripping women in public.

LSK Chairman Eric Mutua said the National Police Service should also immediately form a special unit to patrol areas where the crimes are likely to happen.

"The ongoing brutality that is stripping our women in public for allegedly dressing indecently must be brought to an end," Mr Mutua said.

Hundreds of protesters took to Nairobi streets recently to condemn the humiliating public stripping of three women.

And an Administration policeman was on Sunday arrested and charged with stripping a woman in Komarock estate in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, women MPs have threatened to introduce a motion seeking to impeach top security officials for inaction over the recent cases of stripping.

Over 15 women parliamentarians were joined by their male colleagues in condemning the acts of stripping that have been reported in various parts of the country.

 

They warned Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo that they would face the wrath of the National Assembly if decisive action was not taken against the suspected perpetrators.

"The act of women being stripped and molested and the video going viral is barbaric, shameful and a violation of human rights. We call on the Cabinet Secretary Mr Lenku, Inspector General Kimaiyo and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keriako Tobiko to take action to stop this vice and keep the general public updated. Failure to do this, then we shall commence with the proceeding of impeachment," the MPs vowed during a press conference.

Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh read a statement on behalf of the MPs.

The press conference took place as another group of parliamentarians under the umbrella of the Parliamentary Human Rights Association offered to provide free legal services to victims of stripping and other forms of gender-based violence.

"We as parliamentarians will make amendments to the Sexual Offences Act for the enhancement of penalties," said a statement read by Kenneth Okoth (Kibra) on behalf of members of the association.