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Some years back, a 79-year-old woman was raped to death by a gang of youth who were said to have vanished into Kariobangi area of Nairobi.
The cucus in the area who had become targets, were not going to take the attacks lying down. They enrolled for karate self-defence classes to ward off sex predators in the larger Kariobangi and Korogocho slums.
One such group is Grandmother Fellowship, also called Cucu Jikinge (grandma protect yourself) that was formed slightly over five years ago and still recruiting women.
Beatrice Mungai, 74, the group leader and trainer explains, “We decided to train for the self defence tactics despite our age, since sex pests have no mercy even for the elderly like me.” The grandmother recently sent a would-be-attacker writhing in pain to the ground after a well-timed kick to his groin.
Umoja Africa trained her as a trainer and she has since pass her knowledge to others, which include eye poking tactics and use of knees to smash young balls. It takes six months for a cucu to learn how to fold gnarled fists and use a walking stick as a weapon.
Jane Waithegeni, 55, the group’s secretary, reveals that while she can use coded language to marshal help in case she’s over powered, “now we are even skilled to defend ourselves even from panga-wielding thugs.” She added that, “We were told that perverts are still targeting cucus believing that they will be healed of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/Aids.”
Area Chief Omache Nyabuto told The Nairobian that rape cases in the area have reduced since the cucus started taking self-defence lessons. He revealed that there were more than 150 trained women who are now gainfully employed in activities like weaving of baskets and making serviette holders retailing between Sh1,000 and Sh2,500.
“The main challenges are lack of enough funding and support. Our wish is to get our own plot to train, counsel rape victims and run the business,” said Jane.
