Former Harambee Stars striker Taiwo Atieno charged with assaulting ex-girlfriend

Former Harambee Stars striker Taiwo Atieno was brought to court in the United Kingdom last week on serious allegations of assault and controlling behaviour towards British singer Keisha Buchanan, a founding member of the Sugababes, the BBC reported.

The 39-year-old, who played for Luton Town and Kenya’s national team, appeared via video link at Harrow Crown Court, dressed in a suit and tie, and was granted conditional bail. He is scheduled to enter plea in August.

The charges stem from allegations spanning approximately 13 years, during which Atieno is accused of abusive behaviour towards Ms. Buchanan, including an assault that caused her actual bodily harm between 2012 and 2015.

He faces eight charges in total related to his former partner’s well-being and autonomy.

Prosecutors allege Atieno opened Ms. Buchanan’s correspondence without her permission, restricted her from wearing red lipstick, and exerted control over her finances, as well as her access to activities like going to the gym or taking showers. The court's conditions require him to refrain from contacting Ms. Buchanan, prevent him from entering the district of Barnet, and order him to surrender his passport.

Keisha Buchanan rose to prominence as a teenager when she became a founding member of the Sugababes in 1998, alongside Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy. The group achieved remarkable success, securing six number-one singles and two number-one albums, with various lineup changes over the years. The original trio reunited in 2011 under the name Mutya Keisha Siobhán and successfully regained the rights to perform under the Sugababes brand in 2019.

As the legal process unfolds, the case has drawn attention to the issues of abusive relationships and control, shining a light on the challenges faced by victims. Atieno is expected to respond to the charges when he enters his plea this August.