This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba, two Kenyan rugby players, have been convicted of raping a musician in 2018. The incident occurred on February 10, 2018, at Seefa Towers in Nairobi.
During their trial, the two players claimed that the act was consensual and that they believed their victim, who was older than them, should have guided them against the act. They also alleged that the victim was trying to extort money from them, citing a text message that read 'if you don’t pay I will expose you.'
However, the State prosecutor, Evelyne Olunga, objected to this line of defense, saying it was an attempt to re-open the case. The court ultimately found the two players guilty, with the sentencing set for August 16.
The State has asked the court to impose the mandatory minimum sentence for rape, which is 15 years. According to the prosecutor, this sentence will serve as a warning to other youths against taking advantage of their peers.
Wanyama and Olaba, both students at the University of Nairobi and Strathmore University respectively, had promising rugby careers. Wanyama had a contract in Finland, while Olaba was set to join Trinity University in Canada on a scholarship.
Published on August 10, 2019.
