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Kenya Sees Spike in Sexual Abuse Cases During Pandemic

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - Kenyan authorities and aid agencies'¯say'¯rape and sexual
   abuse cases against girls'¯have increased since'¯the start of'¯pandemic
   restrictions, and they say in most cases relatives
   are'¯the'¯offenders.'¯

   Some safe shelters in Nairobi are overwhelmed'¯by girls who needan
   escapefrom people meant to care forthem.'¯

   Kenyan children have extra time'¯off these days since schools closed in
   Marchbecause ofthe coronavirus pandemic.'¯That is making them more
   vulnerable to'¯sexual predators.'¯

   Thirty-three-year-old JudithAndisosaid a 20-year-old man targeted her
   teenage daughter at home'¯and got her pregnant.'¯

   "I started interrogating my daughter," Andiso said. "She started to
   explain how the man will come in the house while I am away, give her
   10-20 shillings, and take her to another dark building near our
   place."'¯

   Some of the abused children end up in safe houses in central Nairobi.

   Florence Keyaruns one of them. Her center hosts 26 girls,'¯17 of them
   came here'¯between'¯March'¯and'¯July.'¯

   Keya said'¯ there are many more girls who need a safe home.'¯

   "We can only take the number we can'¯manage," Keya said. "We are so sad
   because sometimes we deny cases at the gate.'¯So,'¯we say we can't take
   them in because we are full."'¯

   Kenya's Ministry of Health says it has'¯receivedreports of atleast
   5,000 sexual violence cases'¯across the country,'¯65%of them
   involve'¯girlsyounger than18, many of whom'¯live in
   poverty.'¯'¯Officials say in many cases the perpetrators are close to
   the victims and do not believe the abuse is a crime.'¯'¯'¯

   FanisLisiagaliis the headofHealthcare Assistance Kenya, an organization
   that works closely with the ministry of gender on issues of women and
   girls.

   "Girls are being lured very easily by these perpetrators just because
   they know this family cannot afford to provide," Lisiagali said. "So,
   they give them handouts and they end up having sex with these
   girls.'¯They don't know this is a punishable thing or punishable crime,
   but now they accept just because their parents cannot afford to provide
   certain items."'¯

   Andiso, the mother offive,rarely leaves her house these days worriedher
   children will be victim to more abuse.'¯

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