A woman named Barnice from Naivasha, Kenya, has shared a painful story about a horrific incident that allegedly happened during her husband’s birthday celebration. She claims her husband brought nine friends to their home and encouraged them to assault her after he did. This story, posted on social media by News Hub Creator on April 26, 2025, has not been confirmed by police or major news outlets like The Standard or Nation. Still, it draws attention to the serious problem of violence against women in Kenya, where many face abuse in silence.
Barnice was born in Gatundu, a town in central Kenya. Her family didn’t have much money, so she stopped school after primary level and helped her parents pick tea to earn a living. When she was 15, a neighbor asked her to visit his home, and soon after, they got married. The next day, he took her to Naivasha to live with his parents. They had three children together, but life wasn’t easy. Barnice noticed her husband smoked bhang, a type of marijuana, and started seeing other women. He even brought some of these women to their house. Barnice stayed because she wanted to keep her family together and had no other support, as her own family was poor.
One day, her husband told her to cook a special meal for his birthday. He said nine friends were coming and asked her to send their kids to his mother’s house for the night. Barnice prepared food and cleaned the house. Around 10 p.m., her husband arrived with nine men carrying beer. She greeted them warmly and served the meal she made. After eating, the men started drinking alcohol. Feeling out of place, Barnice went to her bedroom to rest. An hour later, her husband called her back and told her to undress in front of his friends. She says he then attacked her on the couch while the men watched. Afterward, he told his friends to do the same, saying it was his birthday and they should “enjoy” it.
Barnice says the men assaulted her one after another until she fainted from the pain. When she woke up at 5 a.m., the house was empty, and the door was wide open. She was in terrible pain and bleeding. She tried calling her husband, but his phone was off. She reached out to her mother-in-law, who took her to a hospital for treatment. Her mother-in-law told her not to tell the police, saying her husband was the one who paid for everything, and reporting him would make life harder. For two weeks, Barnice stayed quiet, scared and hurting. But she decided she couldn’t stay with him. She took her three children and moved to a small rented house in Naivasha, where she now raises them alone.
This story, if true, shows how serious gender-based violence is in Kenya. A Reuters report from January 31, 2025, says many women face abuse because of beliefs that men are more important, poverty, and weak laws. In Kenya, spousal rape isn’t a crime, so cases like Barnice’s are hard to fight in court. A BBC article from January 22, 2025, says 97 women were killed in Kenya between August and October 2024, many because of gender-related violence. Naivasha, known for flower farms and Lake Naivasha, struggles with poverty and crime, making women like Barnice more at risk. Women with little money or education often feel trapped because they dependburned by their husbands or boyfriends. Many don’t report abuse because they’re afraid of shame or losing financial support, like Barnice’s mother-in-law warned.
To stop this problem, Kenya needs stronger laws to punish all abuse, including spousal rape. More safe places, like shelters, should be opened in Naivasha for women who need help. Teaching people about women’s rights can change harmful ideas. Jobs or training programs, like work at Naivasha’s flower farms, can help women become independent. Police need better training to support survivors. Women can get help by calling the police at 999 or the free gender violence hotline at 1195. The Gender Violence Recovery Centre in Nairobi offers medical care and counseling at +254 20 387 4131. FIDA Kenya provides legal help at +254 20 387 0444. Hospitals like Naivasha County Referral Hospital can treat injuries and connect women to support.
Barnice’s story hasn’t been confirmed by police, so we must wait for more facts. But it shows the struggles many Kenyan women face. Her courage to leave and start over with her children is inspiring, but no one should suffer like this. The government and communities must work to protect women and stop violence. If you know about this case, contact Naivasha Police Station or the National Police Service to help with an investigation.
