Kenyans break social media as two rugby players face jail over rape

Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba, who ply their trade for Kenya Harlequins are now set to learn their fate today (Friday) [Courtesy]

Kenyans have taken to social media to express their views after two rugby players were found guilty of rape on Thursday, August 8.

Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba, who ply their trade for Kenya Harlequins are now set to learn their fate today (Friday).

Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku, in a verdict delivered on Thursday, ruled Wanyama and Olaba had raped a woman on February 10 last year at an apartment in Highrise, Nairobi County.

The rape allegations against the duo are reported to have surfaced early 2018 when a woman, only identified by the court as W.A accused them of raping her after she had agreed to go to one of the players' house for her birthday on February 10, 2018.

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

According to her online posts, she blamed 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 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 examinations.

The news of the case, which broke on Thursday and the impending sentence seems to have hit Kenyans hard, consequently eliciting mixed reactions online.  Here are some captured by GameYetu: ?

Good news here. A man MUST respect the nature of a woman. You can't rape a woman and expect to sail through. I applaud the verdict of the court. — Mkenya Halisi (@AderaJacob) August 9, 2019

Terrible! Should be slapped with a lengthy sentence. — MavMérc™ (@Kenreezym) August 8, 2019

At what point do men lose control? Rape is a crime against humanity. — Simonpeter murimi (@MurimiMwihaki) August 8, 2019

My good friend Evelyn was the led prosecutor and am proud of her good work. Justice served well. — Essie Karanja (@MariguKaranja) August 8, 2019