Fighting the shadows: Bungoma, Vihiga and Kisumu counties confront gender-based violence

This heart-wrenching story is not isolated; it echoes throughout Bungoma County, where a shocking 62 per cent of women have reported physical violence, and 30 per cent have experienced sexual violence, as per the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2022.

In the next village, we meet Rose Chemos not her real name, who has suffered multiple tragedies. In the 2007 post-election violence, her husband was hacked to death by unknown assailants. Later, in the 2017 post-election violence, Chemos was raped by people known to her.

"I was dragged from my home and raped by two men from my village until I lost consciousness. I reported the case, and no action has been taken to date," Chemos said.

Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenepher Mbatiany said the county recorded 2,405 cases of gender-based violence among individuals aged 10-17 years in 2022, representing an increase compared to the 1,127 cases recorded in 2021.

"Between January and July 2023, the county has already reported 411 cases of sexual gender-based violence, of which 75 per cent involve girls between the ages of 10 to 17 years old," Mbatiany said.

The stark reality is reflected in the numbers, Bungoma County has an SGBV prevalence of 23 per cent, against the national prevalence of 13 per cent with Kimilili, Mt Elgon, and Bumula constituencies listed as hotspots for sexual gender-based violence.

The gravity of the situation extends beyond Bungoma. Vihiga County, just two hours away, grapples with its own crisis.

A survivor of GBV during an interview with The Standard. [Levis Musumba, Standard]

According to the report, intimate partners constitute a staggering 63 per cent of reported sexual violence cases, while fathers and stepfathers account for 0.1 per cent.

Brothers and stepbrothers contribute 0.8 per cent and other relatives make up 5.9 per cent of the reported SGBV cases.

These statistics underscore the alarming prevalence of sexual violence within familial and close-knit relationships. Cases of incest are recorded high in sub-counties of Hamisi, Lwanda, and Emuhaya in Vihiga County.

Violet's story serves as a chilling reminder that behind these statistics are real lives, real pain, and a desperate need for a justice system that can deliver on its promise.

The United Nations Women report unveils a grim global picture, with one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence with only 1 per cent ever seeking professional help.

In Kenya, the situation is exacerbated by poverty, retrogressive cultural norms, and inadequate funding for programs to address SGBV.

"I firmly believe that violence against women and girls is not just a crime; it is a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights. The immediate and long-term repercussions physically, sexually, and mentally can be nothing short of devastating, and in some heartbreaking cases, even fatal," asserts Betty Okero, Team Leader of the Civil Societies Organization Network in Kisumu County.

Amidst the troubling statistics, the serene setting of Kisumu County along the shores of Lake Victoria becomes a backdrop for personal stories that echo the harsh reality faced by survivors.

Atieno, not her real name, shares a poignant journey marked by a forced exit from school due to pregnancy, homelessness, and a subsequent diagnosis of HIV and AIDS.

Beatrice Odongo, County Executive Committee Member, Gender Department, Kisumu County. [Levis Musumba, Standard]

Amina, Atieno Chebet, and Violet look up to the justice system for their case to be heard and determined.

"Through the Court Users Committee, we have been able to fast-track 50 cases to hearing and half to conclusion. Now, justice is seen as served as all parties are involved. The committee meets to review the pathway to justice," Fatuma Wambui, a member of the Court Users Committee at Winam Social Justice Centre in Kisumu, said.

Wambui said they discuss gaps in the system and the way forward which has limited blame games on who failed.

This she said has also ensured that justice is served to the victims within the timeframe.

Beatrice Odongo, County Executive Committee Member, Gender Department, Kisumu County, acknowledges challenges in access to justice, citing weak policy framework and lack of financing.

"Gender is underfunded in most of the counties, and this hinders us as stakeholders to implement programs geared towards mitigating the prevalence of GBV," she said.

The UN Women report indicates that poverty and lack of viable livelihoods still greatly drive gender-based violence.

This is worsened by the current economic climate, which has brought increased financial stress among families, further exposing women and girls to vulnerabilities.

The fight against SGBV in Kenya necessitates a comprehensive approach, including strengthening the justice system, raising community awareness, and providing economic empowerment for women.

Collaboration among the government, civil society, and international partners is crucial to eradicating the shadows cast by gender-based violence and achieving the goals of Sustainable Development Goal '5.'