A section of Gen Z protesters staged a demonstration outside Redeemed Gospel Church in Buruburu, Nairobi, on Sunday, demanding accountability over the alleged bullying of a young woman identified as Jahenda.
The protesters chanted Jahenda’s name outside the church, with police officers called in to restore order as public outrage continued to grow over viral videos appearing to show the young woman being bullied and harassed by fellow women at an entertainment venue.
Church condemns alleged bullying
Redeemed Gospel Church Buruburu said it was saddened by the incident and made it clear that church affiliation would not be used to shield anyone from accountability.
The church confirmed that one of the women captured in the viral videos is a member of the congregation.
The development came amid widespread calls for those involved to be held accountable, with Kenyans expressing outrage over the footage circulating on social media.
Pastor denies daughter was involved
Social media claims had alleged that one of the women accused of bullying Jahenda was the daughter of a pastor associated with the church.
However, Reverend Felix Kavoi, while addressing the congregation on Sunday, denied the claims, saying he has no daughter studying at Riara University.
“I don’t have any daughter at Riara University. Tell social media they are wrong and they are coming to the wrong place. My daughters are grownups and they are working. Their names are known,” Reverend Kavoi said.
Kavoi’s remarks came as the allegations continued to circulate online, with the pastor seeking to distance his family from the incident.
Viral videos spark widespread outrage
The viral clips appear to show four women confronting and harassing one of them during a night out.
In the footage, one of the women is seen pushing the alleged victim towards a corner while another records the incident and laughs.
The videos sparked widespread condemnation, prompting both Redeemed Gospel Church Buruburu and Riara University to issue statements addressing the incident.
Riara University said some of the women involved were students at the institution and condemned violence, intimidation, bullying and harassment.
The university also indicated that it was reviewing the matter under its student conduct regulations, while the church said its affiliation would not prevent accountability.
The controversy has since expanded beyond the original viral footage, with protesters demanding justice for Jahenda and calling for those responsible to face appropriate consequences.
