Wanjeri Nderu assaulted for tweeting on corruption

Wanjeri Nderu, a social justice crusader, was attacked by a stranger for talking about corruption at Langata mall on Monday, 29th June 2015. Wanjeri uses her online presence to talk about various injustices in Kenya including corruption. On her timeline, she largely talk about insecurity and corruption.

This won’t stop the fight against corruption and those involved. Get ready, we’re just warming up #SoldierOn pic.twitter.com/wkIwF0VGFO

— Ekuru Aukot (@EAukot) July 2, 2015

Wanjeri says she took up the role of talking about these issues because she feels she has a duty not to let injustices continue yet she can speak. She is not affiliated with any individual or organization. She recounts

“I had just entered my car then rolled down the window. That was at Langata mall, outside a supermarket called Cleanshelf at 8pm. Some well built, tall and dark man just approached me. I had seen him standing near my car but he was not a suspicious person. He then mumbled something like Wacha kelele, ama tutakumaliza (stop making noise otherwise we will kill you). He hit me on my left eye and walked away. He was not in a hurry to run or hide.”

At the time of the attack, there were people in the area but none either saw or was concerned as is usual people going in with their business. He did not take anything away from her. In fact, she had her phone in her hand but the man was not concerned about it. Terrified on what had happened to her, she drove home. On reaching her house, she was unable to move. Her house help came to assist her walk to the house and also carry the things she had bought. Blood was oozing from her face and her entire side she was hit swollen.

Wanjeri who is a mother of three was unable to move much from her bed for the next two days. Her husband works outside Nairobi hence she lives alone with the children. In those two days her head was heavy and she was also traumatized by the assault. She therefore found it difficult to move out of the house to go to the hospital and also report to the police station.

“I was trying to make sense at what had happened. I couldn’t make head or tail on what could have caused the attack. I was also still panicking.”

She was only able to do this on Thursday, 2nd July. She went for a check up at Nairobi hospital on the same day when some checks were done. Luckily, she was okay as nothing had broken. She was then given some drugs and left for the police station in Lang’ata to report the incidence.

When I got to the station, the police could not make much progress. They said since I could not identify the person by name and where he can be reached, they cannot record the statement. They only promised to go scan the area.

Unfortunately, Wanjeri says the man was well dressed “like he was just from an office and had a good cologne, common among men.” Tracing him at that spot will be difficult. However she says if she sees the person, she can ably identify him.

Kenyans took to social media to show support for her and call to account for the person behind the attack.    

Attack on @WanjeriNderu proves how impunity is afraid of the truth. We will #SolderOn #WhoAttackedWanjeri pic.twitter.com/IfYtiN88Lu — Maskani Ya Taifa (@Maskani254) July 2, 2015

The threats and violence against outspoken Kenyan women / women in politics is at unprecedented levels. — Ory Okolloh Mwangi (@kenyanpundit) July 2, 2015

It is saddening to see the injustice meted on @WanjeriNderu days after the assault on @bonifacemwangi by brutal brainless thugs. — National Museum.ke (@muriithiwagura7) July 2, 2015

Yaani someone somewhere thinks it is their right to steal. They even ready to defend it! Aki pole Sana @WanjeriNderu. Mos. — pauliana (@pmodongo) July 2, 2015

Wanjeri is however not cowed by the incident.  

#AmKenyan I am not asking for much. Just that you respect the #SLAVES that keep you in power #SoldierOn — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 2, 2015

#AmKenyan The #SLAVES wake up every morning to KAMATA JEMBE NA PANGA for you. Don’t they deserve a better life? #SoldierOn — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 2, 2015

#AmKenyan If you HAVE to STEAL. Can’t you just take a LITTLE if you MUST ? Then let the #SLAVES have decent lives? #SoldierOn — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 2, 2015

#AmKenyan The POLE WANJERI are nice, thank you. But then what? How do we ensure this doesn’t happen to others? Its about us ALL #SoldierOn

— #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 2, 2015

Over the past two weeks, Wanjeri has been tweeting about the Parliamentary report on Mumias Sugar Company which was investigating the circumstances leading to the current financial woos in the company. The report had relied o the KPMG report which had undertaken a forensic audit and unearthed the extent of the financial improprieties and individuals responsible. She adds

Because I talk about these issues often, people just send me documents and information to highlight them online as I do. Moreover, I cannot know exactly who was responsible for my attack. It could be anyone.

Corruption fighting back. This is @WanjeriNderu who was attacked for “being too vocal” on corruption #SoldierOn pic.twitter.com/iPPGcxvGCZ — Mr. B (@Benogola) July 2, 2015

Tweeting about corruption is dangerous. @WanjeriNderu was seriously assaulted. Cc @kenyanpundit @KenRoth pic.twitter.com/rpNZlI0gVn

— Olé Laibuta (@Olez) July 2, 2015

#AmKenyan Intimidation brings FEAR. Then the fear becomes ANGER, then the anger TRANSFORMS into COURAGE! #SoldierOn! — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 2, 2015

Some of the tweets are below

#AmKenyan Key individuals involved. Kidero, Kebati, Hongo, Murgor, Chepkoit, Cherotich, Katatsa, Nzioki #KPMGFacts

— #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan Kidero approved 3 after sales discounts amounting to 154mil irregularly #KPMGFacts pic.twitter.com/R7LdxawmNg — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan. Basically Mumias management sold themselves sugar through companies they owned, on credit but dint pay. #KPMGFacts

— #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan. The theft through diversion of sugar was possible because the distributors were also transporters. #KPMGFacts — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan. In 2013/2014, 1017 bags of sugar were diverted from the 2448 collected. That’s almost half. #KPMGFacts

— #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan On average 1/3 of sugar meant for Mumias warehouses was diverted in the 3yr period between 2011 and 2014. #KPMGFacts

— #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan Mumias never made attempts to recover Billions owed to it by distributors who enjoyed credit facilities #KPMGFacts — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

#AmKenyan. Kidero would approve credit notes to distributors, then the records would mysteriously disappear. #KPMGFacts — #AmKenyan (@WanjeriNderu) July 1, 2015

Incidences of attacks on social media users and bloggers may not end soon as more Kenyans talk about vices in the country. Perhaps part of the security should be to avail these documents to many Kenyans so that those accused or suspected of doing wrong find it difficult to attack one person. This is especially critical as 2017 approaches when the country is expected to hold the next General Elections.