This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
Published on August 17, 2019, the case of rugby players Alex Mahaga Olaba and Lawrence Frank Wanyama serves as a stark reminder of the disturbing rape culture in Kenya.
Olaba and Wanyama were recently found guilty of gang-raping a musician identified as W.A. during her birthday celebration.
The musician, who was heavily intoxicated, admitted that she could not fight off the two men, who were heavily built due to their sport.
Despite the guilty verdict, some social media users reacted with classic reactions that point to a disturbing rape culture where the crime is excused, condoned, and normalized.
Their lawyer argued that the two men were 'role models to young people and were just starting out in life and, if given a custodial sentence, it would dash their dreams.'
However, this argument raises questions about whether the lives of perpetrators should be prioritized over the victim's well-being.
It is appalling that the victim's morality and judgment were questioned, with some using the trio's inebriation as an excuse for sexual violence.
One can only imagine the heartache and loneliness that W.A. must have felt, watching alongside her child borne from the rape incident, as her character was brought to the stand alongside her rapists.'
Now, this is not a call for anybody to slide into a swamp of pity and sympathy for rape victims.
Rather, it is a call to reflect on how speculating on what the victim did to deserve to be raped perpetuates rape culture.
And why focusing on how a guilty verdict could 'ruin' the lives of perpetrators excuses and tolerates rape.
