A shocking report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) has revealed that police committed most of the sexual violence during the 2017 General elections.
According to the report, out of the 201 sexual violence cases reported in nine counties, 54% were committed by police while another 45% by civilians. The report further revealed that gang rape accounted for about 52%.
The Silhouettes of brutality 2018 report that was based on interviews with victims showed that women were the most affected at shocking 96.6% and 3.4% men.
According to KNCHR chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori, the fear of shame, repercussion or ignorance has caused victims to forfeit reporting sexual violence during the election period.
The most undocumented cases are those perpetrated against men as men hardly share their stories, according to Mbogori.
“The scale of sexual violence occurring during the general elections, is a pointer that we are yet to get to a civilized state where election are conducted peacefully,” said Mbogori
According to the report, a huge number of victims were from the informal settlement. The report explored counties such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Vihiga, Bungoma, Migori, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Machakos, Nandi, and Siaya.
To the shock of many, Nairobi was in the lead with a record number 90 cases recorded of violence recorded followed by Kisumu with 40 cases. The oldest victim in the report is a 70-year-old woman and 68-year-old man while the youngest affected documentation was at 7 years old.
“Sexual violence is a foggy matter with few people acknowledging it happens. It was there in 2007/8 post-election violence and there was a repeat in 2017,” said Mbogori.
It’s sad that the police who are meant to protect the public are in actual fact the ones who turn around and use their power to take advantage of the citizens. Who do you think will protect members of the public from the law enforcers?