In a significant legal victory, Simon Mwita Mwere was sentenced to 27 years in prison for locking up, beating, abusing, and raping his domestic worker.
The woman who has only been identified as “H” was working as a “mama fua” (laundry lady) at the time of the horrific incident.
Njeri wa Migwi, a Kenyan human rights defender and the founder of Usikimye foundation, an organization that provides refuge and support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenya, took to X to share the huge breakthrough in the case.
The organization supported the victim throughout the legal process and never missed a court session despite the challenges they encountered.
“We walked this journey with H and yesterday was sentencing. We never missed court, accompanied her. He threatened us all. We kept on. 27 years in jail. Fin” read the statement
Through-out the trial they concealed her identity as they prioritized protecting her privacy and safety.
This allowed her to seek justice without fear of facing further discrimination or harm due to the traumatic incident she endured as a domestic worker.
The sentencing took place on Monday May 27, 2024 after a long and difficult legal battle supported by the local organization.
“Having considered all the above mentioned factors and the circumstances surrounding this case and the amount of time the accused person has spent in custody. I hereby sentence the accused person Simon Mwita Mwere to 27 years imprisonment with effect from today the 27th day of March 2024,” part of the court ruling read.
This marks a significant victory for H and a testament to the perseverance of the organization that stood by her side.
The perpetrator’s lengthy prison sentence sends a strong message that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of protecting their rights and ensuring their safety.
It is crucial that employers treat their workers with dignity and respect, and that perpetrators of such crimes face the full consequences of their actions.
‘Usikimye’ under Njeri wa Migwi’s strong leadership has made some impactful contributions towards supporting GBV survivors and driving change in Kenya.
