LAW SOCIETY OF KENYA CONDEMNS BRUTAL ASSAULT OF WOMAN AT KISII FUNERAL

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has expressed outrage over a disturbing incident of gender-based violence captured in a viral video, which occurred during a funeral in Nyabisimba, Nyamira County, on March 21, 2025.

The footage shows a woman being violently assaulted and forcibly subjected to traditional burial rituals against her will. Reports indicate that the victim, who was previously married to the deceased for over nine years before their separation, had been invited by her mother-in-law to bring her children to their father’s burial following his tragic death in a motorcycle accident.

Instead of a moment of mourning and closure, the event turned into a horrific ordeal when family members of the deceased accused the woman of causing her former husband’s death through witchcraft. They demanded that she participate in a ritual throwing soil into the grave to prove her innocence. When she refused, she was brutally attacked, suffering severe physical trauma

“The Law Society of Kenya strongly condemns this barbaric act, which constitutes a gross violation of human rights under Articles 28 (right to dignity) and 44(3) freedom from compulsion to cultural practices of the Constitution of Kenya. Such acts perpetuate harmful cultural norms that dehumanise women and erode their autonomy, safety, and dignity,” read the statement.

The statement added, “We commend the National Police Service for their swift action in arresting three suspects linked to the assault. However, we urge authorities to ensure all perpetrators including those who incited, participated in, or condoned the violence face the full force of the law.”