Kenyans on social media have greatly differed with Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr over his remarks on handling David Nzomo's brutal attack against his wife.
The Senator had stated that those who recorded the video of Nzomo landing kicks and blows on his second wife, Mwende Mwongeli, should equally face the law.
"David Nzomo is on the run, but he cannot hide. His savage and beastly acts against his defenceless wife are tantamount to attempted murder," Mutula indicated.
[caption caption="Mwende Mwongeli (the victim) recuperating in hospital "]
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Mutula further added that "the authorities have assured us that they will unearth him by hook or crook. The person who took the video has a case to answer too."
Similar sentiments had been expressed in an order by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who directed that "those who watched and participated in the unacceptable brutality be arrested and arraigned in court too".
Netizens, however, have come out asking for the reconsideration of the decision and instead have those who recorded the video as witnesses to ensure justice for Mwende.
In their argument, Kenyans indicate that were it not for the video, the case of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) would have remained unknown to the public and Nzomo would have likely evaded the law.
Besides, others opine that the witnesses may have realized that trying to accost Nzomo would not have been fruitful hence opting to seek justice for Mwende by recording the video.
Almost always, criminals are arrested through the help & cooperation of witnesses, not by alienating them or scaring them away.
— Arial Black (@WendoRoy) July 31, 2018
Two sides of this coin: 1. the person recording has passed a message to the responsible Authorities
2. Not recording & walking away from the scene isn't helpful— James Mutinda (@JMutinda_snr) July 31, 2018
Senator! Are you trying to incriminate the reporter of crime? Isn't that what the public has all along been scared of leading to many crimes going unreported. Best if to grant them immunity in exchange for them to share information.
— Mike Ndenga MCIM (@mikendenga) July 31, 2018
Itabidi ukiona crime inatendeka and you can't help don't film it and try to get the guy apprehended and prosecuted.. Just run away as faster as you can and never talk about it ever again!
— Spk (@StephenPaliaK) July 31, 2018
The person who took the video will defend himself by saying Kilonzo (suspect) was untouchable and had threaten anyone who could have interfered and the only way the camera man could provide evidence of scene was through video.
— Mr. Phil O (@kakenyanboy_o) July 31, 2018
That will amount to gagging more who would give such information. A vital witness on what really transpired
— Pkimutai (@Plkimutai) July 31, 2018
Wakili allow me to disagree with you on this one I had to consult friends who understand the dialect but remember without the video the DPP would have nothing to prosecute on and if the public took it to their own and did the needful then they too would have a case to answer
— Omondi mar Waithira (@KenyanPenguin) July 31, 2018
So, it now is a crime to record evidence of a crime?
What else should the recorder have done? At least he drew our attention!— Macduff Okuom (@MacduffOkuom) August 1, 2018
Domestic violence is very common. A sample of what happens in social media is not bad... Senator this is a sample... Your approach to this sample will lead to increases or decrease of Domestic violence!
— Jimmy Mumo (@JimmyMumo1) July 31, 2018
In media ethics we are reminded that it is unethical to record and disseminate images of persons in distress. Maybe @SenMutula knows the laws that back this. I think the issue isn't about the videographer not helping but rather amplifying an image that undermines human dignity.
— Victor Oluoch (@oluochvictory) July 31, 2018
Hapo senator. ..I feel the guy should be state witness
— gilbert kaunda (@KaundaGilbert) August 1, 2018
Conflict resolution:always enagage when it's safe to do so.."The attacker was so violent"
The only option left was to secure EVIDENCE for the DPP to have a strong case.— Tomarcs Nyambayi (@ntomarcs) August 1, 2018
So if the video was not taken how could we know of such evil act...that was the only way he could expose that man think about it Sir
— Mesh Odhiz (@OdhizMesh) August 1, 2018
True but the @ODPP should be careful about it. We don't know the character of David nzomo and it is very abnormal for men to watch as the brutal act takes place.
— Jonesmutiso (@jonesmutiso) August 1, 2018
The only problem with this is that nobody would ever record such again.And we will all think it stopped happening.Its like suggesting arrest for guys who film racist attacks in the US
— Steve Kariuki (@SteveKariukis) August 1, 2018
May be he was defenseless too and the best he could do was to let authorities and the world know thro a video
— JO (@johnokach) August 1, 2018
Take more videos to curve the wrong doing, by doing so the work of the police will be easier. If if the person will not be punished but at list he/ she will be ashamed. Those people should be protected in all manner.
— Baariu Kaberia (@BaariuK) August 1, 2018
If you also arrest the guy taking the photo, will you ever get ‘evidence/witnesses’ next time!
— Nyamweya Bw' Omari (@NyamweyaBwOmari) August 1, 2018
No. I don't think so my senator. Maybe he did it for the public to see what was at the ground. Or he / she wasn't in a position to counter attack the same. Let me ask u, if he decided to engage in it, how could we get to know all this barbaric act? Take the positive side of it.
— Maxwel Mulinge (@MaxMulinge) August 1, 2018
The person who took the video is a prosecution witness. Get the culprit arrested and stop beating around the bush senator. #Kenya #KOT
— Clean Cooking (@irdafrica_Kenya) August 1, 2018
He has to be commended for recoding......but as a man he should have had taken action......
This man they call should be given out to the mass to be taught how to take of precious God's gift..— fabian mtunka muli (@FabianMuli) July 31, 2018
I concur. There are at least 3 men from the voices in the background and none of them tried to stop him or save the lady- Shame on these emotional, moral bankrupt and badly raised beings.
— @Rnold (@aRnoNdibo) August 1, 2018
if you are the same size as the wife .
there us no way you can stop him ...mtapigwa wote hapo...in this case the video imesaidia— Hon. O Naftali (@odhiambosuhudu) July 31, 2018
Nzomo is said to have attacked the wife on allegations of infidelity with the injuries she sustained seeing her admitted to Wote Hospital and later transferred to Machakos Level 5 Hospital for further treatment.
"The DPP’s attention has been drawn to a viral video clip of a man assaulting a woman in Makueni. Consequently, the DPP has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately have the suspect arrested and arraigned before court," a statement from the DPP read.
The National Police Service (NPS) has equally issued a statement indicating, "Our officers are in hot pursuit of Nzomo. We appeal to members of public to assist us in apprehending him so that he can be subjected to rule of law for this inhuman act. Say no to Domestic Violence in Kenya".
