Pavilion Motiryot, the man captured on video assaulting comedienne Bella Comedy during the Kutit Cultural Festival has been formally charged.
The suspect appeared in Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday facing two counts, robbery with violence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges come from an August 9 incident at the Carnivore Grounds, where the accused is said to have stolen Ksh30,000 and a phone worth Ksh26,000 from Bella, whose real name is Carren Chepchumba, before attacking her.
Court documents report that the attack happened around 8pm while Bella was recording at the festival. She attended the festival so she could interact with other artists and record the festivities for her online presence.
The man supposedly came over to her uninvited, grabbed her off to the side, kicked and punched her, and bruised her leg, abdomen, and chest, according to her statement.
It was while recording the content that she came across the accused man, who dragged her and kicked and punched her, causing various injuries,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said in a statement.
The suspect pleaded not guilty before Principal Magistrate C. M. Njagi and was released on a Ksh500,000 bond. The case will be heard again on August 18.
The attack, which went viral on social media sparked public outrage. Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi condemned the violence and urged the suspect to surrender to police, saying, “Violence against women is unacceptable Surrender yourself to the nearest police station.”
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot also labeled the attack as a violation of rights and freedom entrenched in the Constitution.
She stated that gender ministry was already investigating the incident, additionally she condemned that violence, harassment, or assault against women and girls would not be tolerated.
