Emaculate Akinyi was assaulted by Justus Oduor Okong'o; the beating was captured on a video that circulated on social media. As he beat her, Okong'o's friend recorded the cruelty on a mobile phone. The bizarre reason for the violent attack: Okong'o claimed that Ms Akinyi had 'bad-mouthed' him to his ex-girlfriend, who is Emaculate's friend. Okong'o has been charged with assault before Siaya Magistrate Margaret Wamban and the case will be heard on July 19.

But the magistrate granted the parties the option of settling the matter out of court, with the area chief asked to report the outcome to the court.

Ms Akinyi lives in fear of being attacked again and our petition is that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ensure that this case is heard in a court of law and that the culprit, clearly seen on tape beating the victim, be brought to justice. 

Violence against women and girls in Kenya has been normalised to an extent that it has been accepted as an immutable part of life, that depictions of violence do not have real life consequences, and that it is the responsibility of the victim, not the perpetrator, to prevent violence.  

We have had enough. This must stop. We demand justice for Emaculate Akinyi.