A woman from Chubunyo in Bomet County is seeking justice after allegedly being assaulted by a local chief.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the woman is seen being confronted by men who were trying to tie her up with a rope.
According to her account, the incident stemmed from a land dispute, and she was left with injuries on her body.
"This chief had the intention of putting that rope around my neck, but after a lot of struggle, he did not succeed. He then tied my hands instead," she explained.
The woman narrated that when she tried to report the matter to the police, she faced resistance and was told to leave the office.
"I was chased away by the policeman at the reporting desk. He told me that the chief was already at the police station, reporting that I had attacked him. The same policeman told me, 'Go home and wait for us to come and arrest you because you fought the chief," she added.
The Gender Department in Bomet condemned the incident, stating that gender-based violence is on the rise in Bomet.
"We are not defending the lady to suggest she might not have any issues. The issue of land is not our concern, nor are the disputes between the chief and the lady."
"What we are against as gender officers is how the arrest was handled, as seen in the media," Pauline Korir, a Gender Officer in Bomet, clarified.
Pauline further assured women in Bomet, including the victim, that their rights would be protected.
"We want to assure all women, including Joyce, that we stand with her in defending the human rights of the people of Bomet. Bomet County is at the forefront of ensuring that people are given what is rightfully theirs," she said.
Speaking on the matter, Edward Imbwaga, the Bomet Police Commander, confirmed that investigations are underway.
"We are collecting statements from all the parties, and we also have an inquiry file. From there, we will send the file to the ODPP (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) for advice. The outcomes will be acted upon immediately," Imbwaga stated.
