Nairobi businessman charged with robbery, assault of comedian Bella Comedy at Kutit Festival
The viral video footage shows Bella kneeling before being pulled up and punched repeatedly in the stomach, an incident that sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation.
A businessman caught on viral video assaulting a female comedian during the Kutit Cultural Festival at Nairobi’s Carnivore Gardens has been charged with robbery and assault causing bodily harm.
On Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) formally charged Bernard Kipkosgei Koyumi, alias Pavilion Motiryot, over the attack on comedian Carren Chepchumba, popularly known as Bella Comedy.
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Kipkosgei appeared before the Kibera Law Court facing charges of robbery with violence and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The court heard that on August 9, 2025, at Carnivore Gardens in Langata Sub-County, Nairobi, the accused robbed Chepchumba of Sh30,000 in cash and a Redmi 14 Pro phone worth Sh26,000 during the Kutit Festival.
He was further accused of assaulting her around 8:00 pm the same day, causing serious injuries to her leg, stomach, and chest.
Kicks and blows
Bella had attended the cultural event to perform, engage with fellow content creators, enjoy music, and produce online content. It was during this process that the accused allegedly dragged her and attacked her with kicks and blows, inflicting multiple injuries.
Kipkosgei pleaded not guilty before Principal Magistrate C. M. Njagi and was released on a Sh500,000 bond. The case will be mentioned again on August 18, 2025.
The violent assault, widely shared in an online video, shows Pavilion and another man physically attacking Bella Comedy.
In the footage, Bella is seen kneeling before being pulled up and punched repeatedly in the stomach. The incident sparked public outrage and condemnation.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi denounced the assault, calling it unacceptable.
“The assault on Bella Comedy by Motiriot Kipkosgei, aka Pavilion Kipkosgei or Pavilion Lounge, is concerning. Violence against women is unacceptable. Kipkosgei, surrender yourself to the nearest police station,” he said.
Willingness to cooperate
The Kutit Culture organisers distanced themselves from the incident, stating their willingness to cooperate fully with authorities.
“Kutit Culture has learnt of a disturbing incident, captured in a video circulating online, showing a lady being assaulted. We wish to make it clear that this act was not in any way sanctioned or connected to our event. We strongly condemn any form of violence and reiterate our commitment to creating safe, respectful spaces for all. Should the matter be reported to the relevant authorities, we are fully willing to cooperate and assist in any investigations,” they said.
In a tearful TikTok video, Bella described the assault as humiliating and denied the businessman’s allegations that she had defamed him online.
“You said that I have soiled your name online, but did you report me? You should have reported me if that was so. Why are you beating me? How many people have reposted your story? Am I the only one? I have not even posted anything about that child. My content is that I am doing it after it trends. I cover trending things only,” she said.
No intervention
She also expressed her disappointment that men nearby failed to intervene.
“Men were just watching, and it was really painful that my fans had helped me get the ticket. I wish I never attended the event,” she said.
Bella claimed that Pavilion later attempted to reach out to her, but she refused to forgive him or settle the matter privately.
“It is not content I have suffered. I don’t have kids anymore. The way he hit my uterus, he finished all my kids. I have suffered. I know that if my mum were alive, she would come to be with me. Right now, she sees me crying, and people are claiming it’s content,” she said.
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana also condemned the assault, stressing the need to address gender-based violence. “
Totally unacceptable, violence against women has no place in our society. We must stand united to protect, respect, and uphold dignity. No one, man or woman, should face violence, disputes must be handled lawfully, and the law must take its course to ensure justice for all,” she said.
The incident has intensified calls for swift action and greater accountability in combating violence against women.
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