Rape victim should have led Olaba, Wanyama – Suspects’ lawyer

By Shukri Wachu.

The lawyer of rugby players Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba on Friday morning requested Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku to issue a lenient sentence to the accused, arguing the two committed the offence under the influence of alcohol and naivety due to young age.

The accused lawyer, Wafula Simiyu, said on top of being intoxicated, the suspects were way younger than the victim, hence she should have “guided” them.

“Despite the victim saying that she was much younger than the accused, [we have established that] that claim isn’t true. The accused are younger than her. Therefore, the victim should have led them,” Simiyu told Chief Magistrate Mutuku.

“Your honour, we wish that a lenient sentence be issued to the accused, given the two were young and in campus,” said Simiyu.

The lawyer further pleaded with the magistrate, while drafting the sentencing, to consider the number of siblings the accused are taking care of.

Simiyu said Olaba has seven siblings he is supporting, whereas Wanyama has four.

"These young men are the bread-winners in their families," said Simiyu.

Olaba and Wanyama were on Thursday, August 8, found guilty of raping an upcoming female musician at their Seefar Apartments residence in Nairobi on February 11, 2018.

The two will be sentenced on Friday August 16 after the magistrate pushed back the sentencing date from Friday, August 9.