With media support, we recently highlighted the stories of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence who are still awaiting justice. Their struggles and experiences were featured in the Daily Nation. Read the full story here: https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/women-raising-children-born-from-rape-during-the-2007-violence–4870078#story.
Residents of Nyalenda, Kisumu, gathered for a community dialogue aimed at addressing systemic injustices and police accountability. Organized by Amnesty International Kenya and supported by organizations like UTU WETU, the meeting highlighted pressing concerns affecting the community. Photos: Highlights from the Community Dialogue in Nyalenda, Kisumu. pic.twitter.com/U7BXaVWakw — UtuWetu (@utu_wetu) December 20, 2024 Among the key issues raised was the delayed justice in the Baby Pendo case, with residents lamenting the slow court process as a symbol of systemic failure. “Justice delayed feels like justice denied,” one resident remarked. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) expressed frustration over the unavailability of P3 forms in police stations, which are essential for pursuing legal and medical support. Financial exploitation surrounding these forms only deepens the trauma for survivors. We joined other partners in Nyalenda, Kisumu, for a community dialogue on addressing SGBV and police brutality, particularly during times of conflict. This community is DEMANDING accountability and proactive measures to safeguard their rights. pic.twitter.com/WyhZO9RWID — UtuWetu (@utu_wetu) December 20, 2024 Local authorities offered explanations for these concerns, but their responses left residents unsatisfied. UTU WETU plans to facilitate more dialogues to bridge the gap between the community and justice systems.
Malemba Mkongo, a journalist with People Daily, highlights the ongoing struggle for justice faced by victims of post-election violence. Among these individuals are survivors of sexual violence who continue to hold onto hope that the recommendations from the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report will one day be implemented. For the full story, visit page 20 via this link: Read more here.
This morning, UTU WETU convened a breakfast meeting with select journalists, creating a space for dialogue and strategy-building around Petition 122 of 2013. The meeting offered an update on the progress and impact of this landmark case, which stands as a beacon of hope for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and as a call for increased state accountability. Our team and medical experts from Physicians for Human Rights highlighted the latest developments in the petition and discussed the steps ahead as we navigate the appeals process. Beyond the case specifics, the discussion centred on the broader implications of Petition 122 in strengthening legal protections for survivors of SGBV and reinforcing the state’s responsibility to prevent and respond to violence. This morning, we discussed our advocacy work for implementing the judgment in Petition 122 of 2013, ongoing appeal case, and more with journalists from various media houses. pic.twitter.com/V3LZpDvCgj — UtuWetu (@utu_wetu) October 30, 2024 We insisted with the journalists on amplifying these stories and playing a critical role in our advocacy efforts. With their unique ability to reach hearts and minds, journalists are allies in the fight for justice. Their commitment to telling these stories with clarity and sensitivity is vital to building public understanding and sustaining momentum for meaningful change. We extend our deepest gratitude to the journalists who joined us today and look forward to their continued support in raising the voices of survivors and holding institutions accountable. Here are some news articles by journalists who attended the breakfast meeting. Radio Maisha The Star Newspaper https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-10-30-delayed-justice-mystery-of-no-show-cop-in-baby-pendo-case https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-01-09-police-bosses-to-be-held-liable-for-offences-committed-by-juniors
On September 30, 2024, in partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Utu Wetu Trust hosted an engagement meeting in Nairobi. This event brought together survivors, civil society actors, and key duty bearers to address the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across Kenya. The initiative aligns with our ongoing commitment to fostering a multi-stakeholder approach in tackling SGBV, from everyday incidents to crisis moments, including the recent “Gen Z Protests.” The convening provided a platform to explore the continuum of SGBV and how it manifests across periods of peace and unrest. Discussions focused on the systemic gender inequalities, harmful societal norms, and power dynamics that perpetuate violence. Participants examined the complex landscape of SGBV as both a structural and personal violation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the issue across different contexts. Through collaborative dialogue, participants worked to draw connections between various instances of SGBV in Kenya, underscoring the importance of a survivor-centred approach that prioritizes the voices and experiences of those affected. The engagement meeting fostered valuable reflections on Kenya’s progress in addressing SGBV while identifying critical gaps requiring urgent attention. Recognizing the need for a coordinated and collaborative response, participants developed action points and recommendations to strengthen partnerships between duty-bearers and civil society. These action points include strategies to improve support structures, enhance legal frameworks, and increase community awareness around SGBV issues. The meeting concluded with the establishment of working groups tasked with driving forward these actionable plans to bolster support systems, promote legal protections, and foster community resilience. This engagement underscores Utu Wetu Trust’s dedication to transformative change in SGBV prevention and response efforts. We remain committed to amplifying survivor voices and working alongside key stakeholders to move Kenya closer to a society free from violence and fear. Our efforts will continue to focus on actionable, survivor-centred solutions, driving sustainable progress in the fight against SGBV nationwide.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who was brutally murdered by her former partner. As a talented marathon runner who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, Rebecca’s life was cut short by an act of violence that underscores the urgent need to address gender-based violence in our societies. Her passing is a stark reminder of the pervasive and insidious nature of violence against women. This incident highlights the normalized acts of violence along a continuum that many women face daily, in public and in private, ranging from subtle harassment to extreme acts of violence and brutality during times of “peace” and periods of unrest. We are committed to combating the systemic inequalities perpetuating such violence at Utu Wetu. As we emphasize in our work: “Gender-based violence is a form of violence directed against a person because of their gender and is a phenomenon rooted in gender inequality and continues to be one of the most pervasive human rights violations in most societies. While both men and women experience gender-based violence, the majority of the reported victims are women.” We call for justice for Rebecca and all victims of gendered violence, and we renew our commitment to creating an equitable and just world for women and girls. Let us honor her memory and the scores of other women who have died because of gendered forms of violence by continuing to advocate for systemic change and accountability by and through the state to ensure that such tragedies are no longer tolerated in our societies.
Nairobi, Kenya, 20th August 2024—UTU WETU, a collective of human rights experts committed to advancing gender equality in Kenya, Africa, and globally, welcomes Dorcas Oduor’s appointment as the new Attorney General of Kenya. Her historic swearing-in as the first female Attorney General marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. As an organisation dedicated to ending sexual violence, we look forward to working with Attorney General Oduor to ensure that victims of sexual violence receive the reparations they deserve. Victims of Petition 122 of 2013, who were awarded compensation by the High Court for the government’s failure to protect them during the 2007 post-election violence, continue to wait for justice and their rightful compensation. The toll of this delay is immense, and we stand with these survivors in their pursuit of justice. In December 2020, the High Court ruled in favour of four petitioners, awarding them KES 4 million each for the violation of their rights. Yet, the compensation remains undelivered. The remaining four survivors have filed an appeal, seeking accountability from the state for failing to protect them from sexual violence during the post-election period. We are particularly encouraged by the potential of this new appointment to bring about changes in the pursuit of justice and accountability for gross violations of international human rights law. We look forward to collaborating with Attorney General Dorcas Oduor in her efforts to ensure that victims of sexual violence receive the reparations they need and deserve. Yvonne Oyieke Executive Director, Utu Wetu For more information, please contact: Henix Obuchunju at 0707262110
By Leah Aoko The recent protests the finance bill in Kenya, dubbed #rejectfinancebill have been a stark reminder of the continued use of force and lack of accountability in the police service. Amidst the clamor for the law makers to reject the impugned bill, protesters were manhandled, roughened up, harassed, beaten and unfortunately even killed. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), about 40 people have lost their lives while scores remain injured because of police brutality. More specifically, 25th June 2024 will forever be etched in the minds of many Kenyans who watched on live TV as protesters matching to #occupyparliament were horrendously sprayed with bullets leaving bodies strewn along parliament road. This resulted into national and international outcry on the unrelenting brutality of the officers then stationed at parliament. Still on the finance bill protests, the police have been implicated on subsequent forced abductions and torture of people they thought were leading the campaign. Unfortunately, it is not known how many people so far have been abducted and releases/not released. Days of protests have become another way to showcase the much-needed police reforms in the country. Police brutality during conflict goes way back to the 80s and the 90s during the Nyayo era where the police force was used as a weapon against opposing citizens who fought for multipartyism. Back then, anyone who fought the state was deemed unpatriotic and would often go ‘missing’ before resurfacing and in worse case scenarios being found dead. Since then, electioneering periods have often been visited by cases of police brutality against the opposition supporters. In 2007, there was widespread atrocities committed in the country. The said general elections period is infamous for ensuing spontaneous violence and crimes against humanity. According to the International Criminal Court, crimes against humanity such as murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, persecution, rape, and other inhumane acts took place in the country. In 2017, Kenya’s presidential election also was marred by serious human rights violations, including gang rapes, unlawful killings and beatings by police during protests and house-to-house operations in western Kenya, which was aligned to the opposition. At least 12 people were reportedly killed and over 100 badly injured. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also reported that the police had killed at least 24 people nationwide, including one in Kisumu and 17 in Nairobi. The numbers reported are most likely much higher, as the Kenyan media were slow in reporting on the violence and families were afraid to speak out. Amongst the casualties included six-month-old Samantha Pendo who died after police officers reportedly smashed her head while in the arms of her mother, in Nyalenda, an informal settlement in Kisumu. This mirrors the current police brutality casualties where minors including a 12 year old boy from Rongai have been shot dead by police officers tackling ‘criminals’ in the finance bill protests. A force by any other name is just as brutal. It seems years of advocacy on police reforms and the need for the police to respect the rights of protesters have yielded very little considering the recent protests. The brutalizing and killing of protesters in broad day light had resulted to questions of accountability and the needs to ensure the full force of the law comes into play as a deterrence measure for the rogue police. This also brings into the spotlight ongoing cases on police brutality and state accountability such as the baby pendo case for which the police’ suspects are yet to take plea. Subsequent periods of unrest, maandamano, etc. have seen many more ‘baby pendos’ killed. There is still need to unearth other atrocities that may have been committed such as sexual violence, gang rape, robberies etc. by the police and other rogue elements during the protests. It has been a sad scene taking us back to the dark days where people fighting for their rights lost their lives all together in the hands of an entity meant to protect and serve civilians. Still, we will relentlessly fight to bring every ‘criminal officer’ to answer for their actions in the line of duty. Aluta Continua!
A new report highlights the severe lack of justice and reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Kenya, despite decades of atrocities. The report, produced by the Global Survivors Fund (GSF), paints a bleak picture. There is no official register of CRSV survivors in Kenya, and the government estimates the number treated at around 900 – a figure the report calls “just the tip of the iceberg.” In reality, the report estimates hundreds of thousands of survivors from the colonial era, over 100,000 between 1963-2006, over 10,000 during the 2007-2008 post-election violence, and under 10,000 in 2017. The Western region alone saw an estimated 3,000 women and 1,000-1,500 men subjected to CRSV. Yet, the Kenyan government has failed to establish an administrative reparations program, despite drafting relevant regulations years ago. The few survivors who have sought justice through the courts have faced endless delays, with one landmark case taking over seven years. As a result, the report states that not a single survivor has received any formal reparation. Survivors express “despair and frustration” after over 16 years of “promises, neglect, obstruction, and denial” from the state. The impact on survivors, their families and communities has been devastating. Many survivors face ongoing mental health issues, medical conditions, and social stigma. Children born of rape also suffer trauma and exclusion. The report calls for urgent action, noting the Kenyan government’s obligations under international law to provide reparations. It urges the establishment of an official survivors’ register, a comprehensive reparations program, and measures to combat the impunity that has emboldened perpetrators. “Survivors demand reparation related to our very existence, our survival and that of our children,” the report quotes one survivor as saying. “Survivors believe reparation is their right.”
We are excited to share that the GSF Kiswahili County Brief has been translated from English to Kiswahili. Thank you for taking the time to engage with our content! Kiswahili Country Brief
