Despite five rapists still missing in Kenya's most high-profile rape case ever, the trial took off on Tuesday with one of the accused boys standing trial for participating in the gang rape of a young woman known as "Liz".

The single suspect tried to cover his face as he appeared at a courtroom in Busia surrounded by tight police security. The man has been charged with gang rape and grievous bodily harm.

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The case caused global outrage last year when it was discovered that 16-year-old "Liz" was allegedly raped by six men, some under the age of 18, while walking home from her grandfather's funeral in June. After committing the crime, the six boys allegedly threw her body into a 20-foot-deep latrine.

The rape and the 20-foot drop left "Liz" with spinal and internal injuries, and she was treated for a fistula later last year.

The case has been embroiled in controversy as police have only managed to arrest one of the suspect, despite knowing the identities of the other five and having them all in custody at one point. According to authorities, they don't know where to find the other five rapists.

Kenyan police also raised further global ire after it was revealed that "Liz" was punished for the attack along with the six perpetrators.

Reportedly, when the young girl first reported the crime, she did not tell police she had been raped. As a result, "Liz" was forced to mop the office and the six boys cut the grass at the station as punishement for their part in the physical attack.

Terry Kunina, a program associate at a local human rights organization which has worked with Liz and her family, stated that the punishment was most likely a collective one:

"They should not have been out that late, they were misbehaving, so all of them were punished together," Kunina said.

However, the 16-year-old did later reveal the details of her rape and will be giving testimony as she serves as a key witness in the trial. 

TagsKenya gang rape