Survivors and Activists Unite in Kibra to Demand Justice and Reparations

Mar 5, 2025

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the streets of Kibra came alive with the voices of resilience, courage, and determination. Survivors, activists, civil society organizations, and community members gathered for an advocacy March for Justice and Reparations, a call for accountability and redress for survivors of election-related sexual violence (ERSV).

Organized by UTU WETU in collaboration with Grace Agenda and Feminists for Peace, Rights and Justice Centre, the march reminded people of the long-standing struggles for justice, particularly for women and children who have suffered due to electoral violence.

Kibra, a symbol of struggle and resilience, has been a hotspot for electoral violence in Kenya. Seventeen years after the signing of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreement, which promised justice and reparations for the 2007/08 post-election violence survivors, those commitments remain largely unfulfilled. This march amplified the call for justice for survivors, recognition of children born from sexual violence, and an end to cycles of impunity.

The march began at Katwekera Village, with participants receiving t-shirts, caps, whistles, and placards emblazoned with the message: “Kila story ya survivor ni unique na ina matter” (Every survivor’s story is unique and matters). From Katwekera and Olympic to Koyaro Centre, survivors, activists, and duty bearers engaged with the community, demanding justice, reparations, and stronger protections against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Speakers, including UTU WETU’s communications officer Henix Obuchunju, human rights defenders Cecilia May Ayot, Editah Ochieng, and Zuleika Yusuf, addressed participants on the way as they headed to Koyaro centre.

key issues such as the impact of election-related sexual violence and impunity, the need for implementation of the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) and Waki Reports, the ongoing fight for justice in Petition 122 of 2013 and the upcoming court appeal judgement on April 11, 2025, the urgent need for gender-responsive budgeting to address SGBV effectively, and the increasing cases of femicide, with calls for it to be declared a national disaster were discussed.

One of the most emotional moments of the day was the town hall meeting at Koyaro Centre, where survivors bravely shared their experiences. Editah Ochieng, a survivor and activist, recounted the horrors of gang rape and unsafe abortion, underscoring the deep trauma and lack of justice for many survivors.

Zuleika Yusuf, a Nubian woman, shared how cultural norms forced her to endure 15 years of domestic violence, only finding freedom through the solidarity of fellow survivors.

Other survivors, including Angela Nzilani, a visually impaired woman, and Wycliffe Wetende, a person with albinism, detailed the additional layers of discrimination and violence they endured. The testimony of a child born out of rape, who faced abuse and rejection, reminded everyone of the long-lasting impact of election-related sexual violence.

Representatives from government agencies, civil society, and law enforcement engaged in discussions with participants. Lynette Kitui from the State Department for Gender committed to strengthening referral pathways for GBV survivors.

Lynette Kitui

Christine Owino from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) acknowledged the community’s mistrust in police accountability and called for better forensic evidence collection to aid prosecutions. However, survivors and activists emphasized that words are not enough, action is urgently needed to ensure justice is served.

Our media partners covered stories from the march; check out their reports through the links below.

Ramogi Tv