Kenyan rugby players convicted of rape released on Sh300,000 cash bail

Lawrence Frank Wanyama and Alex Mahaga Olaba at a Nairobi's Milimani law court, they had been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape. [File, Standard]

Two ex-Kenya Rugby Sevens players Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba who were sentenced to 15 years in jail in August last year for gang rape have been released on Sh300,000 cash bail each. 

The High Court, barely a week ago ordered the re-trial of Wanyama and Olaba and that the two be moved to Kilimani Police Station to prepare to take plea before Tuesday, July 11.

The court, in the ruling, noted existing records did not show whether one of the witnesses was sworn or not. 

This case was to be heard again at a lower court.

Frank Wanyama (L) of Kenya runs with the ball against Argentina during day one of Singapore Rugby Sevens tournament on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

In August last year, Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku ruled that Frank Wanyama and Alex Olaba be jailed for 15 years each.

“The complainant was traumatised hence a deterrent sentence is necessary,” she ruled.

The verdict was read in-camera, meaning only the accuser and respondents were present.

The rugby duo played for Kenya Harlequin and the national rugby 7s team.

They were charged with gang-raping a woman named WA on February 10 last year at an apartment in Highrise, Nairobi County.

The events that have now culminated into the sentencing started at a party in Spring Valley.

The artiste said one player lured her to his house after they left the party. According to her, the two raped her in turns, as she fell in and out of consciousness.

In a series of posts on social media, she narrated how she had been raped on her birthday.

WA claimed she became pregnant from the ordeal. She claimed to have gone to Nairobi South Hospital for a medical test.

Frank and Alex maintained the sexual escapade was mutually agreed.