Latest news with #MountKenya
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Boarding school mass sex attack horror: How a mob of boys raped 71 girls in night of depravity with 19 victims killed in a stampede as they tried to escape their dormitory
Twilight was receding into night on July 13, 1991 when St. Kizito, a mixed boarding school in the Kenyan town of Meru, was plunged into darkness. Outages and blackouts happened often at the establishment located roughly 50 kilometres from Mount Kenya, so for the staff and most of the students it appeared a day like any other. But on this occasion, the power was cut deliberately. Hundreds of girls, all aged between 14-18, slinked off back to their dormitories - a handful of single-storey brick buildings with tin roofs concealing simple metal bunk beds - as was customary when the lights went out. A few hours later, 19 of them would be dead. Dozens more would be left with trauma that would haunt them forever. The power cut on that day was the first step of a dastardly plan fuelled by teenage anger and spite. The school's boys, who had been training weeks ahead of an interscholastic athletics competition, were left despondent when they discovered the school had not paid the fees necessary for the students to participate. Enraged that all their hard work had come to nothing, they decided to organise a protest against the school's inaction, among other concerns, and refused to attend their classes. They expected their 271 female classmates to follow suit, but the girls refused. This snub, as they saw it, was the straw that broke the camel's back. The violence that followed - and the shocking dismissal of its severity by teachers and the courts - became a symbol of gender inequality and an example of violence against women that nearly 35 years on still occupies the nation's collective consciousness. As night fell, a group of seething boys cut electricity and phone lines powering the school and connecting it to the outside world. Then they began throwing stones, sticks and other missiles at the school buildings, including the girls' dormitories. Fearing that her students would be more susceptible to violence if they were isolated from their friends in separate dorms, the head girl reportedly instructed all the female pupils to congregate in one dorm room and barricade the door. But as the night went on, the boys became yet more feral and encircled the small brick outhouse. The girls, crammed in between the beds, were only able to hold out for so long before the boys broke down the door and piled in. The ensuing chaos proved fatal. By sunrise, 19 girls had lost their lives. Investigations revealed they died in horrific circumstances after the boys bust into the dorms. Several were trampled to death, having fallen amid a desperate scramble to escape before being crushed underfoot. Others were suffocated when beds and mattresses fell on them as the boys forced them into a corner. Massimo Ballottino, an administrator at Meru's Tigania Hospital where many of the girls ultimately received treatment, visited the scene and told reporters: 'I have never seen anything like it. It was like civil war. There were bodies everywhere.' Many of those who did manage to escape faced another horrific ordeal. A shocking total of 71 girls were found to have been raped that night, police said. Local news reports at the time claimed that several boys had hidden their identity by wrapping bedsheets around themselves before chasing down the fleeing females with torches. They pulled the girls into grassland bordering the schoolgrounds before assaulting them. The incident triggered outrage among the public and the media, prompting then-president Daniel arap Moi to pay a visit to the community. But the outrage only grew as journalists began to uncover the ambivalence and incompetence exhibited by school staff, guards, law enforcement and even the courts tasked with handling the shocking case. Beyond the heinous actions of the teenage perpetrators, critics questioned why no teachers or guards attempted to intervene, given that many staff members would have been on site at the time of the riot. It later emerged that security guards had fled their posts, and since the phone lines had been cut, they could not call police. The first anybody beyond the school grounds heard of the chaos was at 2am on July 14, when a pair of guards who had run from the commotion woke local reverend Alexander Kiranja, who reportedly ran a mission nearby. Kiranja then went to the nearest hospital and asked them to call the police. This delay meant the boys continued their rapes well into the night before anyone arrived to stop them. Salome Mutua, a student of the school, told KTN News of the hellish scene inside the dormitory. 'We pushed all the beds to lock the entrances. Because we were scared of being pulled out by the boys to get raped. Some of us hid under beds, some were on top of beds, anything for safety... 'The beds were overwhelmed with weight and broke, so those underneath got injured badly. The bedframes had sharp edges, the girls got stabbed. 'The police did not show up until 6am... of course they heard the screams and I'm sure some teachers tried calling them but they did not show up. 'They could've saved us,' she said solemnly. The day following the tragedy, The Kenya Times managed to get hold of the school's principal, James Laiboni. His statement left readers utterly gobsmacked. 'In the past, the boys would scare the girls out of their dormitories and in the process they would get hold of them and drag them to the bush where they would 'do their thing' and the matter would end there, with the students going back to their respective dormitories,' he said in a tight-lipped statement. In other words, rape was commonplace at the school, with teachers effectively condoning the practice. Deputy principal, Joyce Kithira, was also quoted by the same publication as commenting: 'The boys never meant any harm against the girls, they just wanted to rape.' Francis Machira Apollos, a probation officer who worked on the case and was interviewed by reporters in the aftermath of the attacks, made it clear that the school would never have shared details with authorities had girls not perished. 'If you are a girl, you take it and hope you don't get pregnant. If girls hadn't died in this, we wouldn't have known about it,' he told reporters. A total of 39 boys were ultimately arrested on charges of murder and rape, but with prosecutors unable to tie any of them to the death of any one girl, the charges were reduced to manslaughter. The trial lasted a year, and eventually only 10 of the 39 boys were jailed - but their identities were concealed from the public.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Memos From The Middle East: Welcome To Wellness Week, Dubai Chocolate Gets A New Craze Flavour, And Huda Beauty Drops Its Next Cult Product
Every week Bazaar brings you the latest news in fashion and beauty, luxury and lifestyle, straight from our desks to yours — from across the region and beyond Fashion Wangechi Mutu Unveils Exclusive Peekaboo for FENDI To celebrate the opening of Wangechi Mutu: Black Soil Poems at Galleria Borghese, supported by FENDI as part of their longstanding partnership with the museum, the Kenyan-American artist has designed her own unique Wangechi Mutu x FENDI Peekaboo bag. Reflecting her poetic style rooted in contemporary social themes, the bag features hand-painted landscapes of the Ngong Hills and Mount Kenya, detailed with gleaming gold leaf. Celine Introduces The New Racer Sneaker Meet the 'Racer' sneaker, inspired by the athletic spirit of the 1970s. Celine's signature 'Triomphe' logo is given a vintage-cum-athleisure vibe, making them the perfect pair for effortless elegance on easy weekends and in airport lounges – adding to our wishlist immediately. Beauty Huda Beauty Launches A New Lip Duo Huda Beauty has unveiled the Lip Contour Stain, a 12-hour wear lip stain and liner hybrid with a dual-sided applicator for overlining, defining, and filling. Available in eight highly pigmented, argan oil-infused shades, it delivers a matte, no-bleed finish that stays all day. Pair it with the Faux Filler Jelly Oil, a non-sticky, ultra-hydrating lip oil enriched with shea butter, passionfruit oil, peptides, and vegan squalane for shiny, soft, tinted lips. Available in three fruity shades, these nourishing oils glide smoothly and layer beautifully for juicy, jelly-finish lips. Dior's Skin Essentials Channel Its Couture Credentials Dior has reinvented its Skin Essentials for 2025, with plenty of shelf essentials for the skincare connoisseur. Turn to the La Mousse Off/On cleanser, enriched with purifying water lily and niacinamide for radiant and balanced skin, while its new eye patches will instantly refresh tired eyes with hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and niacinamide. Completing the trio is Le Baume, a hydrating, travel-friendly balm for lips, hands and dry areas, which is now available in a limited edition pink Toile de Jouy design. Chloé's New Nomade Lumiere d'Égypte Feels Like Summer In A Bottle Chloé has just dropped its latest campaign for Nomade Lumiere d'Égypte, starring the beautiful Yasmine Zahran, set against the golden glow of the Nile. The fragrance itself is all about lightness and warmth – fresh blue lotus, soft jasmine, and the grounding touch of Kyphi. A perfect match for summer days and soulful wanderers. Glow Mode On: Dr. Barbara Sturm's Summer Kit Is Here Sun, skin, and science – Dr. Barbara Sturm's cult-favourite skincare is back with a glow-up for the season. The Summer Kit 2025 is your go-to, four-step routine to hydrate, protect, and refresh your skin during warmer months – all packed into a chic, reusable raffia bag. Inside? Hero products like the Sun Drops SPF 50, which shields against UVA/UVB rays with a lightweight finish, and the Hyaluronic Face Mist, perfect for mid-day pick-me-ups. The Face Cream Light keeps things dewy (never greasy), while the Face Mask is your SOS for post-sun recovery. Available online via and Ounass across the GCC. Dining FIX Dessert Chocolatier's Drops New Seasonal Flavour 'Time to Mango' Do you even live in Dubai if you haven't tried Fix chocolate? Today, Dubai's beloved home-grown brand, has unveiled its juiciest creation yet, 'Time to Mango.' This white chocolate bar bursts with mango, passion fruit and popping candy, offering a playful, tropical twist. Available exclusively on Deliveroo from June 16 at Dhs72.25, with limited drops daily at 2pm and 5pm in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this is the latest flavour craze you won't want to miss. Escape to the French Riviera with Eugène Eugène Sunday Brunch Eugène Eugène is bringing the charm of the South of France to Dubai on June 15 with a one-day only Riveira inspired brunch in its iconic greenhouse at Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates. Expect an elegant afternoon filled with live music, lush greenery, and a bountiful buffet featuring classics like salade niçoise, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and tempting summer desserts. Little guests can enjoy dedicated kids' activities, making it a perfect family outing. Brunch runs from 12pm to 4pm, with packages starting at Dhs325. For bookings, email [email protected]. Perfect Your French Pastry Skills with École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio is inviting culinary professionals to elevate their pastry craft with three exclusive masterclasses led by expert chefs. From June 10-12, the Luxury Small Bites & Petit Fours course will be focusing on creating sophisticated, modern buffet desserts with an emphasis on sustainable ingredients and luxury aesthetics. On June 17-18, the Chocolate Takeaway Snacking class will be exploring healthy, on-the-go chocolate treats using innovative techniques. Finally, on June 30, The Art of Ice Cream and Frozen Treats will be teaching the essentials of crafting ice creams, sorbets, and natural flavour infusions. Whispers of Honey – Address Hotels x Seedra's Golden Summer Delight This summer, Address Hotels & Resorts is serving up something truly sweet – literally. In a golden-hued collaboration with Seedra, the homegrown ethical honey brand, they've launched a seasonal Whispers of Honey Afternoon Tea across five of Dubai's most iconic properties. Artisanal savouries and delicate desserts, each kissed with one of eight premium honey varieties, from Mango to Blueberry and classic Sidr. The menu features everything from Lobster Rolls glazed with Ginger Honey to Pistachio Ganache filled with Orange Honey Jam. Expect honeycomb sugar sculptures, edible florals, gold dust, and just the right amount of drama for your Instagram. Served daily from 3pm to 6pm at Dhs195 per person. Health & Wellness Celebrate Global Wellness Day with Mandarin Oriental On Saturday June 14, Mandarin Oriental will celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD) with complimentary spa and wellness experiences focused on this year's theme 'Reconnect Magenta.' Guests can explore meaningful reconnections with nature, loved ones, their communities, and themselves, through guided meditations, eco-conscious treatments, family yoga, mindfulness coaching, and local community workshops. Wellness Morning Yoga Session at Jumeirah Emirates Towers In celebration of Global Wellness Day, Jumeirah Emirates Towers invites you to a rejuvenating morning of mindful movement and nourishment. Guests will start the day with an energising 60-minute indoor yoga session at Daefi Lounge, led by Lululemon ambassador Parisa Abad. Following the session, a wholesome and nutritious breakfast awaits at Mundo, thoughtfully curated to inspire and fuel your day – the perfect way to embrace wellness, find balance, and start the weekend feeling refreshed and centred. Taking place on Saturday June 14, from 8AM to 10 AM at Daefi Lounge, Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Wellness, Reimagined: 7 Days of Self-Care at ICD Brookfield Place Wellness just got a glow-up at ICD Brookfield Place! From June 9-15 2025, the space is transforming into a feel-good hub for Wellness Week – a full seven days of movement, mindfulness, and modern self-care. Enjoy complimentary fitness classes and beauty treatments from 1Rebel, Reform Athletica, Embody Fitness, and Y12 all-week-long. The weekend brings extra joy: on Saturday, dive into breathwork and art therapy sessions, groove in Afrobeats choreography classes, and try an ice bath (if you dare). Then on Sunday, Fred's Coffee Party kicks off at 11am to wrap things up with caffeine and good vibes. Come for the wellness, stay for the energy – this is your sign to reset and recharge. A month of healing at Sohum Wellness This June, SOHUM Wellness Sanctuary welcomes the community to a soulful month of healing, connection, and mindful expression. Highlights include the weekly UPAYA sober coffee party with its addictive boho-chic atmosphere, and the Pyramid Sound Healing & Journaling sessions every Saturday. Special events feature the New Moon Ceremony on June 25, the Summer Solstice Ceremony on June 21, and a creative candle-making workshop on June 22. Leisure Jacquemus brings Riviera Chic to Monte-Carlo Beach for a stylish summer takeover This season, Jacquemus arrives at Monte-Carlo Beach with a playful and elegant collaboration with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. The iconic pier and pool café have been transformed with the brand's signature banana yellow and coconut milk white and black stripes, echoing the 'La Croisière' collection, available at two exclusive pop-up boutiques. The Jacquemus experience is available until 7 October 2025 – make it quick to the Mediterranean.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baraka, Kenya's blind rhino - adventurous soul with a sweet tooth
Completely unfazed by camera clicks and luring calls, Baraka munches on the grass of the savannah. With his massive body, thick grey skin and the pointed horn, the black rhino appears invincible. But life for Baraka, whose name means "the blessed one" in Swahili, is challenging. The 30-year-old rhino bull is blind, afer he lost one eye in a fight with another rhino in 2008, and the other due to a cataract. If Baraka were to roam freely through the savannah of the Kenyan highlands, he would be an easy target – in clashes with rival rhinos, or for poachers. In the private sanctuary Ol Pejeta in the Mount Kenya region, however, the black rhino lives in the safety of a 100-acre compound, protected by caretakers. He is not the only rhino celebrity of the sanctuary. Ol Pejeta is also home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world. After the death of the male Sultan in 2018, the species is functionally extinct. The two remaining females, Najin and Fatu, are protected around the clock by armed rangers. Efforts to ensure the survival of the northern white rhino include attempts to facilitate reproduction through IVF. Yet while scientists have successfully created northern white rhino embryos, there have been challenges in implanting these embryos into surrogate southern white rhino mothers. Hope, however, dies last. Baraka, on the other hand, is a kind of ambassador for his critically endangered species. Almost 200 black rhinos live in Ol Pejeta, the largest population in Kenya. Unlike their slightly larger relatives, the white rhinos, black rhinos are very shy and are rarely found in the open savannah - they prefer forest areas for browsing. Thanks to Baraka, visitors to Ol Pejeta are guaranteed to see a black rhino. His caretakers know how to lure the rhino to the fence of his enclosure with a piece of sugar cane or some carrots. Even though he is blind, Baraka isn't helpless. He orients himself primarily by scent and markings from urine or feces, says Grace, one of the rhino's keepers. "Sometimes, when he gets bored in his enclosure, he does an escape run," she says about the adventurous heavyweight with a smile on her face. "We've even found him at the other end of the sanctuary. He just follows his nose whenever something smells interesting." There are only about 6,000 black rhinos and about 18,000 white rhinos left in all of Africa. Therefore, security is as important in Ol Pejeta as it is in state national parks. In Ol Pejeta, around 260 employees are responsible for protecting the wildlife. The rangers of the Rhino Patrol Unit track and record rhino sightings. Every black rhino must be sighted at least once every three years by the rangers who roam the sanctuary with binoculars and notebooks. Armed rangers with paramilitary training and a dog unit are also deployed in the area to deter poachers. Rhinos are the second largest mammals living on earth, who were once hunted for sport and meat. Today, poacher kill them to meet demand from Asia and the Middle East, where rhino horn is considered to have medicinal properties and is used to make ornamental dagger handles. A kilogram of rhino horn can fetch up to $60,000 on the black market. Yet while elephants are poached because of their ivory tusks, rhino horn is just made of the same substance as human fingernails – keratin.
