- A community forum in Kajiado North has called for stronger support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
- Participants said stigma, victim-blaming, family pressure and customary interventions continue to discourage survivors from reporting abuse.
- Police, courts, health workers and children’s officers outlined measures available to help survivors access protection, treatment and justice.
Residents of Kajiado North have been urged to break the silence surrounding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), support survivors and ensure that girls and women subjected to abuse can pursue justice without fear or stigma.
The appeal came during a community engagement forum organised by the Wangu Kanja Foundation under its Justice for Survivors project.
The forum brought together police officers, judicial officials, health workers, children’s officers, probation officers, community elders and survivors, with participants discussing the challenges that prevent victims from reporting sexual violence.
Community elders emerged as key players in the fight against SGBV, with participants urging them to abandon practices that shield suspected perpetrators from the law.
James Kichumba, an elder from Oloolua Ward, said family and community relationships should not stand in the way of justice.
“Our people should let justice take place even if it’s a relative, and chiefs should get out of the way or support cases to be reported,” he said.
Kichumba said some elders intervene when young men are accused of defiling women, preferring to address the allegations through customary arrangements.
“There are cases where young men are reported to defile women, and elders stand to protect them in the name of handling the issues in customary ways,” he said.
For Judith Ogor, the probation and aftercare officer for Kajiado North and West, survivors often face another battle after experiencing violence — the fear of being judged by their own community.
“As a practitioner, what I have observed as a barrier is the stigma from society. Not many people like to be seen as one who has been defiled,” Ogor said.
She said victim-blaming, financial constraints and fear of perpetrators, who are often relatives, further discourage survivors from reporting cases.
Police, courts and health facilities offer support
Police officers attending the forum sought to reassure residents that they could report SGBV cases without fear of intimidation.
“We want to assure the members of the community that as the police, we are up to the task and we are going to perform our duty without any fear or intimidation from anyone,” said Amos Gori of Ngong Police Station.
The courts have also introduced measures aimed at protecting survivors, including keeping their identities confidential by using initials instead of names during proceedings.
A Ngong Law Courts official said separate files are opened for victims and accused persons in cases involving minors on both sides.
Health officials said survivors should not delay seeking medical attention.
Tracy Katua, a Public Health Officer in Kajiado North, said government facilities provide SGBV-related medical and counselling services free of charge.
She encouraged community members to accompany survivors to health facilities promptly and help preserve evidence that may be required during prosecution.
Children facing abuse are also being offered protection through the Children’s Department.
Kajiado Children’s Officer Cynthia Mbongo said officers conduct risk assessments and home visits after SGBV cases involving children are referred to them.
“Where a child’s safety is at risk, we have rescue centres where we take them for some time before reintegrating them back into the community,” Mbongo said.
Anne Waiguru, a community volunteer and SGBV survivor, said volunteers should be better recognised and protected because they often become the link between survivors and justice institutions.
She said some survivors lack support from their families, particularly where relatives are sympathetic to alleged perpetrators.
Survivors need support throughout justice process
Daisy Ouko, a programme officer at the Wangu Kanja Foundation, said survivors require support throughout the process of recovery and seeking justice.
“We support survivors of sexual violence in the continuum of care: supporting them to go to hospital, supporting them in legal matters, and also in matters of shelters,” Ouko said.
Data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey shows that 36 per cent of women aged 15–49 in Kajiado County have experienced physical violence since age 15, compared with a national average of 34 per cent.
The survey shows that 17 per cent of women aged 15–49 in Kajiado have ever experienced sexual violence, compared with 13 per cent nationally. It further shows that nine per cent experienced sexual violence in the 12 months preceding the survey, compared with seven per cent nationally.
The Wangu Kanja Foundation works to prevent and respond to sexual violence and support survivors through protection, access to services and justice interventions.
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Participants said ending SGBV would require more than police action and court processes, calling for communities to reject silence, protect survivors and refuse to shield perpetrators in the name of family or tradition.
By Kimutai Langat
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