Sexual and Gender-based violence in the 2007 post-election conflict in Kenya

Report of a study commissioned by: The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW)

Between December 2007 and March 2008, Kenya faced its worst political and governance crisis yet. Unlike in the previous general elections since 1992 when the ruling Party used politically motivated violence to diminish the vote of their competing Political Parties in the opposition as a strategy of rigging, this post election violence went beyond the control of the political system and degenerated to a state of total break down of Law and order. Three months of a political stalemate fertilized by the contested presidential election results, undermined the foundation of the nation, the economy and extensively created a climate for the violation of citizens’ rights. It is in that context that the most despicable sexual and gender based violence in Kenya’s post independence history were witnessed. This is the context within which women paid the price of a failed state, an incompetent government and the culture of violence in the Kenyan society.

Many studies on girls and women vis-à-vis health and education have been carried out in Kenya. Conclusions have been made on the various issues afflicting and affecting them. Despite the necessity of accessing health and education services for this group of society, it is sad that in Kenya, only a small percentage can access these services easily with the majority having to contend with mediocre services that are few and in between.

For decades, women seeking reproductive health services in Kenya have been suffering serious human rights violations, including physical and verbal abuse and detention in health facilities for inability to pay hospital fees. Shortage of funding, medical staff and equipment plague the health care system, particularly the public health institutions by dramatically interfering with the ability of health care staff to provide adequate and quality care efficiently. These systemic problems have persisted, in part, because of a dismal lack of accountability within the health care system, which in turn stems from a lack of basic awareness about patients' rights and the absence of transparent and effective oversight mechanisms.

Introduction Several reasons exist as to why we should focus our attention on the health of adolescents in this country. These include: To reduce death and disease in adolescents; To reduce the burden of disease in later life; To invest in health today and tomorrow; To promote human rights and To protect human capital.

Adolescents face many reproductive health risks since they are more prone to experiment and engage in unprotected sex; young women are less able to resist sexual pressure and coercion, they are vulnerable to sexual exploitation for favors and financial support, many have to endure unsafe abortion procedures and for biological and cultural reasons are more susceptible to HIV infection.
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It will prove an invaluable tool for any woman candidate seeking political office in Kenya. It provides a political scan of the Kenyan electorate and provides political insights geared towards helping women candidates to gather the votes.

In Kenya’s highly patriarchal environment, women have constantly faced numerous electoral crises when seeking political office. They range from gender biases in party nominations to negative socio-cultural attitudes from the electorate even to electoral violence instigated against women.

This study sought to determine the relationship between bride price and the incidences of violence against women among selected communities living in North Meru and Kisii districts, Kenya. It particularly focused on how ‘commercialization’ of bride price relates to prevalence and extent of domestic violence. The two communities were selected for the study because CREAW had already established strong links with them as a result of having worked closely with them at grassroots level. CREAW had indeed worked with various like-minded Community Based Organizations (CBOs) most of which had felt that domestic violence is on the increase in these regions. One of the hypothesized causes to this scenario was commercialization of bride price which makes male spouses perceive to have bought their wives. In the event of any domestic misunderstanding, men who have paid hefty bride price would therefore vent their frustration through perpetration of violence to their wives.

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Sexuality and sexual matters have remained a taboo sub- ject in Kenya. it has been a subject that has been swept under the carpet, yet it is central to human well being as it begins before birth and lasts throughout the life span of a human being.

Sexuality and sexual matters have remained a taboo sub- ject in Kenya. it has been a subject that has been swept under the carpet, yet it is central to human well being as it begins before birth and lasts throughout the life span of a human being.

Kulingana na uchunguzi uliofanywa na makundi ya kutetea haki za kibinadamu, visa vya dhuluma za ki-ngono vimeongezeka katika muda wa miaka kumi hivi iliyopita. Ripoti rasmi zinaonyesha kwamba visa hivi vimeongezeka kwa idadi, unyama wake na njia za utekelezaji. Hivi sasa, aina za dhuluma za ki-ngono ambazo hazikuwahi kusikika hapo awali zimeenea sana na Wakenya wengi wanahisi kwamba hawana usalama dhidi ya dhuluma za ki-ngono.

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With the increase in reported cases of rape, defilement and sodomy in Kenya, the passing of the Sexual Offences Bill into law heralds a milestone in the fight against all forms of sexual violence as there is now for the first time in Kenya a law that comprehensively seeks to tackle sexual violence by offering stiff sentences to a variety of criminal offences of a sexual nature most of which were not catered for in existing legislation.


To obtain a copy of either the English or Kiswahili Version of the booklet, kindly Donate Kshs. 250 or USD$ 3 (this price is exclusive of Shipping or Postage Costs). To order and for attractive quantity discounts, kindly contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it