One cruel pregnancy, two rugby players

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2001275849/one-cruel-pregnancy-two-rugby-
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By Standard Digital | Apr. 6, 2018 | 5 min read

 
L-R: Alex Olaba, Wendy Kemunto and Frank Wanyama Wendy Kemunto now claims
she’s pregnant but does not know who between the two is the father According to the
players, the sex was consensual and Wendy started sending them text messages demanding
money when she realised she was pregnant

Two Kenya Rugby Sevens players accused of raping an upcoming musician

have denied the allegations, saying that the sex was consensual.
Singer Wendy Kemunto has accused rugby stars Frank Wanyama and Alex
Olaba of raping her. She now claims to be pregnant and does not know who
between the two the father is.

But Wanyama and Olaba told detectives at Kilimani Police Station that they
never raped Kemunto.

In their statements, Wanyama and Olaba say they know the accuser and that
they were together on the day she claims she was sexually assaulted during
her birthday on February 10.

The rape allegations emerged on March 31. The sassy singer accused the two
on her Instagram page of taking advantage of her, engaging in a forced
threesome which resulted in unplanned pregnancy.

“They say they had sex and it was consensual. We will send the file to the
Director of Public Prosecutions for direction,” a detective told The
Nairobian.

The players were briefly held before they were taken to hospital for medical
examination for medical tests and police are awaiting results.

Kilimani DCIO Fatuma Ali said Wanyama and Olaba had given their side of
the story before being taken to hospital under police escort.
“For now, there is nothing much we can do. Investigations are still ongoing.
What we have at the moment are allegations that need to be investigated. It is
too early draw conclusions, as we still don’t have all the facts,” Fatuma said.

They were later released on a Sh50,000 police cash bail each and ordered to
surrender their passports.

According to the police, the players, both of whom play for Kenya
Harlequins, said Wendy started sending them text messages demanding
money when she realised she was pregnant.

“We have told the woman if she gave false information, she too will face the
consequences,” an officer told The Nairobian.

Kemunto has also recorded her statement at the same station. The singer
claimed she was raped after accompanying one of the players to his house
when her birthday party ended. “I was slipping in and out of consciousness
maybe due to shock, but I was helpless. I couldn’t fight two men who play
rugby professionally. Obviously they were stronger, hence I let them do
whatever they wanted to do the whole night,” she claimed in her statement.
  Wendy
Kemunto

According to her online posts, she blamed Wanyama, accusing the player of
refusing to take responsibility when she reached out to him. She went ahead
to explain that she had not reported the matter to the police, fearing
Wanyama’s influence.

Screenshots of the ‘expose’ went viral online and elicited mixed reactions on
social media. Some wanted her to report the matter to police, while others
doubted the rape claims.

Kemunto was unwilling to shed light on the matter, with reports emerging
that Wanyama and Olaba have been suspended by Kenya Harlequins pending
conclusion of the investigations. In a statement, the club acknowledged
receiving a formal complaint regarding the alleged rape.
“Kenya Harlequin Rugby Club has a zero tolerance policy on any form of
sexual harassment. We call for patience and caution as the relevant
authorities investigate the matter,” said club chairman Mike Lucas. 

The alleged offence reportedly took place on February 10 at one of the

player’s house in Nairobi’s Highrise estate.  But Kemunto was not ready to
shed light on the matter.

“I’m not in a position to talk to the media for now, maybe later. I will
respond when I am in a better state of mind,” she told The Nairobian.

Wanyama referred us to his lawyer Ombui Ratemo, who told The

Nairobian that he was “made aware of the allegations and upon the order
from the DPP’s office, we have recorded statements at the Department of
Criminal Investigations office DCIO in Kilimani.”

Ratemo added that, “Once we’re done, they will do their own investigations
and see if the case holds any water to proceed to court. Probably these guys
(Wanyama and Olaba) will need to have some medical tests done on them
before the whole process begins. I think the tests will probably be done this
week.”

This development came about after the office of the Directorate of Public
Prosecutions contacted Kemunto and directed police to investigate the claims
following uproar on social media.
The DPP ordered a thorough probe into the mater. Kemunto claimed she was
pregnant and wanted the players charged.

“@ODPP_KE treats information about rape very seriously. Be rest assured

that the matter is being given due urgent attention. The @ODPP_KE has
already got in touch with Kilimani DCIO CC @DCI_Kenya and action is
being taken. #justiceforkemunto,” ODPP twitted.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) said it would handle the matter according to
its policies, adding that it did not condone sexual harassment.

“The KRU has been made aware of reports about alleged sexual misconduct
involving a contracted Kenya Sevens player. The matter will be reviewed as
soon as practicable by the KRU, in line with existing procedures for all
contracted players,” said the union in a statement.
  Frank
Wanyama

The union said it would also wait for the outcome of police investigations
into the matter.

“KRU wishes to state that it does not condone sexual harassment or any other
activity that goes against the spirit of World Rugby Regulation 20 and
remains committed to continued respect, empowerment and increased
participation of women in all aspects of the sport of rugby,” added the union.

When contacted on why most rugby players have been linked to forced
sexual acts in the past, Kenya Rugby Union chairman Richard Omwela called
upon all victims, current or in the past, to speak for action to be taken against
the culprits.

“We have never had the general version but we need people to come out and
actually talk of such allegations and we will take actions, irrespective of who
the accused are. For us, it’s about the respect and the cleanliness of the sport,
so we will not condone such sort of behaviour irrespective of who it is,” he
added.