Nine Men Nabbed for Gang Raping Woman in Kenya

Kenyan law enforcement has made significant strides in the investigation into the horrific gang-rape of a young woman in Laare Town, Meru County, resulting in the arrest of nine suspects. The assault, which occurred on December 1, 2025, during a traditional circumcision procession, was captured on video and circulated widely online, sparking national outrage.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Wednesday, December 3. Officers from the Laare Police Station successfully apprehended six additional suspects, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to nine, following the initial arrest of three suspects on the day of the incident.

The investigation was initiated after members of the public alerted the Laare Police Station to the sexual assault. Responding officers found the victim severely distressed with torn clothing and immediately rushed her to Nyambene Hospital for urgent medical attention.

A rapid manhunt utilized forensic leads, resulting in targeted raids in the Irinde, Lubwa, and Kiarama areas. The six newly arrested suspects were identified as Dennis Mwirigi, Ismael Gichuge, Elijah Muriki, Isaac Ntomauta, Joseph Marete, and Phineas Mutali.

The DCI statement detailed the swift action taken by law enforcement:

“As the investigation unfolds, detectives remain relentlessly focused on identifying and apprehending additional suspects involved in this heinous crime, ensuring that no perpetrator evades justice.”

The nine suspects were arraigned in court on Wednesday. The prosecution successfully requested that they be detained until December 10, 2025, to allow investigators sufficient time to finalize their probe. Furthermore, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is set to join the case, signaling the heightened legal and public interest in the matter.

The assault has drawn broad condemnation, notably from former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who announced a Sh300,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of any remaining perpetrators. Sonko denounced the attack as “inhumane, criminal, and unacceptable,” and urged swift justice for the survivor. The incident has energized rights groups and community leaders who are now demanding stronger collective action to confront rising cases of sexual violence against women and girls.