A disturbing video circulating on social media has caused nationwide outrage after showing a pregnant woman being savagely beaten by her three brothers in Nkareta, Narok North Sub-County.
The victim, identified as Lepeita, is said to have been attacked after rejecting a man chosen by her brothers and instead marrying a man of her own choice.
According to witnesses, the brothers wanted her to marry into another family they preferred and tried to forcefully impose their decision on her.
In the viral video, Lepeita is seen crying out in pain as her brothers strike her repeatedly with sticks. Her mother can be heard begging the men to stop, pleading for mercy, but her appeals are ignored.
The video, widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, has sparked heated public debate about gender-based violence (GBV), women’s rights, and forced marriages in Kenya.
Lepeita is currently receiving treatment at Narok County Referral Hospital, where doctors say her condition is stable.
Authorities have confirmed that police are pursuing the three brothers, who fled immediately after the incident.
Local leaders have strongly condemned the assault. Narok County MP Rebecca Tonkei called the incident “barbaric and unacceptable,” demanding that the suspects face the full force of the law.
County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia also promised swift action, urging police to prioritize the arrest of the culprits while assuring residents that the government will not tolerate violence against women.
The case has reignited discussions about women’s rights in pastoralist communities, where traditional practices sometimes clash with modern legal protections.
Women’s rights groups are now calling for the brothers’ immediate arrest and stronger enforcement of laws against forced marriages.
Human rights activists say Lepeita’s ordeal highlights the urgent need to protect vulnerable women, especially those who face violence for exercising their right to choose their own partners.
Kenya’s 2014 Marriage Act explicitly outlaws forced marriages, while the Constitution guarantees women the right to equality and protection from violence.
However, activists argue that many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, or pressure from families.
