Ex-husband of Narok woman assaulted by brothers released on Ksh.800K bond

The former husband of a Narok woman who was beaten by her four brothers for fleeing her matrimonial home and getting married to another man has been released on a Ksh.800,000 bond.

Appearing before Narok Resident Magistrate Esther Mwikali Mutuku, the accused, Jackson Senchura Keiwa, was granted bond after the prosecution failed to convince the court that he would interfere with witnesses.

While issuing the ruling on the bond application, Magistrate Mutuku noted that the accused had a fixed place of residence, was not a flight risk, and was not a threat to the complainant as she had already moved on with another man.

Keiwa has, however, been warned against interfering with witnesses, including his ex-wife, and ordered to attend all court sessions until the case is concluded.

The woman, who is a mother of two, went viral after a video emerged of her being beaten by her four brothers, who were upset with her decision to leave her earlier marriage against family wishes.

The four brothers are still at large and police are continuing with their manhunt.

Keiwa was arrested on Friday on allegations that he directed the woman’s brothers to attack her after claiming he had already paid her dowry.

He was accused of ordering the assault of his 22-year-old ex-wife and faced charges of intent to abduct and unlawfully confine Millicent Semeta Rotiken to his residence.

The incident has provoked national outrage and prompted a visit to Narok County by Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo, who condemned the attack during her tour.

CS Cheptumo warned that those responsible would be held to account and emphasised that no cultural practice supersedes the Constitution.