Shocking sexual abuse in schools as Ministry sets gender desks

Education CS Amina Mohamed (L) and her PS.Belio Kipsang when they appeared before the Senate Education Committee at Parliament on Tuesday 11/12/2018. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

The government will set up gender desks in all schools to stem growing number of violence against school children.

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and PS Belio Kipsang said the ministry is concerned over the safety of girls and boys in schools.

“We want to assure parents and children that as government, we are committed to ensuring safety in schools. We will ensure all children, particularly girls, are safe,” said Kipsang.

The ministry is working with other agencies to eliminate the vice.

“There is also a standing ministerial team working on Standard Operating Procedures to be rolled out in schools to make institutions safe and secure zones for every child," she said, noting that part of these are the directives on school-going hours.

Amina said a recent economic survey revealed that some 784 girls were raped, while 3,487 cases of defilement and 287 incidents of incest were reported.

“Some 107 cases of sodomy and 254 cases of indecent assault were also reported,” Amina said at Bomas of Kenya during Kenya National Union of Teachers 61st Annual Delegates Conference.