A man has been arrested and charged with raping a 20-year-old university student during their first night out. He allegedly forced himself on her inside his car in Ruai, Nairobi.
Boniface Karanja Mbugua, 34, is accused of intentionally and unlawfully having carnal knowledge of the woman, identified only as Ann to protect her identity, without her consent on February 24, 2026 at around 3am. in the Ruai area.
He is also accused of issuing threats to her during the incident. In the alternative, he faces a charge of committing an indecent act with her.
The events leading to the alleged sexual assault began on February 9 in the afternoon, when the accused, who was driving his car, slowed down and stopped near the complainant. He approached her and asked for her phone number, which she provided.
The pair continued communicating and later scheduled a date for the evening of 17 February. The accused reportedly suggested that she wear heels and a dress. Feeling uncomfortable with the arrangement, the complainant expressed her reservations.
The accused then proposed they go out late at night instead, around midnight, and offered to pick her up from her residence. However, he failed to show up, leaving her disappointed.
Two days later, on February 19, the two met and proceeded to a joint in the Juja area for an evening out. The accused allegedly encouraged the complainant to drink alcohol despite her being on medication at the time. He promised her that nothing bad will happen to her.
They left the venue at around 2am and, along the way, stopped to purchase something to smoke from roadside vendors.
While driving along Kangundo Road, the accused allegedly diverted into a deserted road and began making unwanted sexual advances. When the complainant resisted, he allegedly reclined her seat, forcibly removed her clothes, and raped her.
She said that she tried to call for help but none came because it was late in the night and they were in an isolated location.
According to the complainant, the accused claimed to be a government employee who was “above the law” and protected from any consequences. He reportedly pointed to a Government of Kenya (GOK) sticker on his vehicle, saying reporting the incident would have no effect on him.
In protest, the complainant bit him on the chest. The accused then made a call to a supposed doctor, claiming he had been bitten by a woman whom he was not sure of her health status.
He demanded a P3 form so he could report the matter to the police and accused the complainant of spiking his drinks, which he said explained his abnormal behaviour.
He inquired whether she had a clean bill of health. After she confirmed she was free of any illness, the accused agreed to drop her at her residence.
The accused allegedly went on to call her a prostitute who was trying to take advantage of him. Later at around 4:40am, the complainant, accompanied by her caretaker, reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
The accused denied the allegations. He was released on a cash bail of Sh100,000, with the case pending hearing on May 27.
