A group of Gen Z protesters gathered outside Redeemed Gospel Church in Buruburu, Nairobi, on Sunday demanding justice for Jahenda following a viral bullying video.
The youths chanted “Justice for Jahenda” as they called for accountability over the incident that has sparked widespread outrage on social media.
The protest came after the church confirmed that one of the young women linked to the incident fellowships at the congregation.
In a statement, the church said it was “saddened” by the development but stressed that the individual’s association with the church should not shield her from accountability.
“Neither can a person’s association with the church be used to excuse, minimise or shield them from accountability for their own conduct,” the church said.
The church also expressed concern for Jahenda and those affected by the incident, calling for healing, responsibility and accountability.
The protests followed the circulation of a video showing Jahenda being confronted and humiliated by a group of young women inside what appeared to be a club washroom.
One of the women is seen physically confronting Jahenda while another records the incident, with the footage showing the victim being subjected to humiliating instructions and threats.
The incident has also drawn the attention of Riara University after reports linked some of the women in the video to the institution.
The university condemned the conduct and said it had launched an internal review despite the incident having occurred off-campus.
“Riara University unequivocally condemns violence, intimidation, bullying, harassment or misconduct in any form,” the institution said.
The university added that it would cooperate with investigative authorities as the circumstances surrounding the incident are established.
The controversy has continued to grow under the hashtag #JusticeForJahenda, with Kenyans demanding action against those involved.
At least two of the women featured in the video have also reportedly issued apologies, but the apologies have not stopped calls for formal accountability.
The latest protest marks a shift in the Jahenda case from an online campaign to a physical demonstration, with the youths demanding that institutions involved take action.
Meanwhile, claims circulating online that one of the women is the daughter of Buruburu senior pastor Felix Kavoi have been disputed. Kavoi has publicly said he is not the father of any of the women involved, while Dr Ezekiel Mutua has also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
Investigations and the university’s internal review are expected to establish what happened and determine any action against those involved.
