Seven men have been charged with torturing a woman during a burial ceremony in Nyamira County. The suspects—Dismark Ondieki, Lameck Ogindi, Jones Manyancha, Elijah Kinairo, Zacharia Nyariki, Robert Makori, and Martin Obino—allegedly locked up and assaulted Mellen Moraa, forcing her to take part in burial rites against her will.
The court heard that Moraa was compelled to throw soil into the grave of her estranged husband, Joseph Osoro, as part of the Abagusii cultural customs. She was also allegedly locked in a room with the body for hours. The suspects denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Benrad Ondego.
The March 2025 incident in Nyabisimba village sparked nationwide outrage after a viral video showed the attack. Women legislators condemned the act, calling it backward and violent. Prosecutors asked for the suspects to be remanded, but the court granted them bond at Sh100,000 each, or an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000. The case will be mentioned on April 23.
