Punishment for Kenyan gang rapists lifted from cutting grass to 15 years' jail

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Nairobi: A Kenyan court has convicted three men for the brutal gang rape of a schoolgirl, boosting their original punishment of being made to cut grass to 15 years in jail.

"Today's sentencing is sure to have a ripple effect across the nation, and hopefully the region at large," said lawyer Kimberly Brown, from the campaign group Equality Now, which supported the schoolgirl.

Worldwide outrage over the punishment prompted more than 1.8 million people to sign an online petition demanding justice.

The then 16-year-old victim, known by the pseudonym Liz, was reportedly attacked, beaten and then raped by six men as she returned from her grandfather's funeral in western Kenya in June, 2013.

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The gang dumped her, bleeding and unconscious, in a deep sewage ditch.

She suffered a broken back, caused either by the beating or by being hurled down into the pit, as well as serious internal injuries from the rape.

The case made global headlines after it emerged that three of the alleged rapists whom Liz identified were ordered by police to cut grass around the police station as punishment.

Other suspects are on the run, with the public prosecutor ordering they be "apprehended and brought to justice without further delay".

Sentencing had been set for last Friday but was delayed after one of the men skipped bail and failed to turn up, but police arrested him over the weekend.

Rape is a serious problem in Kenya but is seldom taken seriously by the police, rights groups say.

"The sheer scale of sexual violence in schools, communities and its general acceptability in society is astounding," Ms Brown added.

 

 

 

http://www.smh.com.au/world/punishment-for-kenyan-gang-rapists-lifted-from-cutting-grass-to-15-years-jail-20150413-1mkd3z.html

 

 

still not enough though

[Your Juan and only]

still not enough but at least they'll be in jail instead of cutting fucking grass

[Liz]

It's not enough and it will never be enough for what those sh*ts did to the poor girl

[AslanHunter]

I'm impressed. 15 years is a longer sentence than Korean or the US usually run for rape. In my opinion, you can throw rapists under the jail. 

[sebbula]

what the fuck why would cutting grass be even considered as a punishment for something as brutal as gang rape?? i can't even comprehend that

[Morning Dew]

I wish the sentence was longer, but it's better than them just cutting grass.

[Gyujin]

Cutting grass...? Really? And I thought my country had a horrible justice system...sheesh. At least they gave them some time I guess.

[......]

lol...that cutting grass was  even on the table.

 

I mean, many countries do give community service hours to non-dangerous offenders and minor offences...but...cutting grass...for gang rape? Shows the value of women in a culture.

Glad they overturned it.

[Sailor Emerald Moon]

cutting grass.... what a stupid punishment.

 

The 15 years in jail is an improvement but I feel they still deserve wayyyyy more.

[mgl]

Cutting grass for gang rape and aggravated battery...... I have no words. They still got off easy with 15 years, but at least it's progress.....