Sentencing of rugby players postponed

Lawrence Frank Wanyama and Alex Mahaga Olaba in the dock at a Milimani court where they were charged with gang rape [Courtesy]

The sentencing of Rugby players Alex Olaba and Frank Wanyama who were found guilty of raping a woman has been pushed to Friday, August 16 next week.

Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku on Thursday, August 8 ruled the duo had raped a woman named "W.A" on February 10 last year at an apartment in Highrise, Nairobi County.

The rape allegations emerged on March 31, 2018.

The two, who play for Kenya Harlequins were arrested after the woman accused them taking advantage of her (rape) after she agreed to go to one of the players' house on February 10, 2018.

The victim alleges that she went to hospital the next morning, but did not report the incident to the police, not until a test confirmed she was pregnant.

According to posts seen online by GameYetu, the woman shamed Wanyama, accusing the player of refusing to take responsibility when she reached out to him.

Screenshots of the 'expose' went viral online and elicited mixed reactions on social media. Some netizens wanted her to report the matter to the police, while others doubted the rape claims.

The players were briefly held in police custody before they were taken to hospital for medical examination.

According to police, the players, both of whom play for Kenya Harlequins, said "W.A" (as she was identified) started sending them text messages demanding money when she realised she was pregnant.

In their statements, Wanyama and Olaba said they knew the accuser and that they were together on the day she claimed she was sexually assaulted. The players also maintained that the sexual contact was consensual.

"W.A" had also recorded her statement at the same station.

Wanyama and Olaba were then freed on a Sh1 million bond with a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of 500,000 shillings and ordered to surrender their passports on April 23, 2018.