‘Sexual abuse against pupils high’ in Kenya

Head teachers at a conference for Nyanza region Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association at Nyamasaria Primary School yesterday. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA/STANDARD]

Sexual abuse against pupils is the biggest headache for Nyanza school heads who are meeting to assess the challenges affecting local schools.

The headteachers drawn from Kisii, Nyamira, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya counties spoke on the second day of their three-day conference in Kisumu and expressed concern about what they termed a high drop-out rate among girls due to sexual abuse.

The over 1,200 teachers, meeting at Nyamasaria Primary School under the umbrella of the region's Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha), sought to develop mechanisms to raise education standards in the region.

The tutors claimed that boda boda operators were the major "predators".

A report done in Kisumu between July and December last year by Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) indicated the most affected were girls aged between 10 and 14 years, and in Standard Four to Eight.

Hesbon Simba, a research officer at Kemri, tabled the survey, which indicated that most pupils were being affected during morning hours when the girls were on their way to school.

According to the report, the prevalence rate during morning hours stands at 38 per cent.

"The major perpetrators of this sexual violence include family members (20.3), neighbours, boda boda operators and boyfriends (30.9) while unknown perpetrators stand at 41.8," said Mr Simba.

The survey indicated that 275 cases were received by the Gender-based Violence Recovery Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu in January alone.

"Pupils from rural areas are vulnerable more so when they do not have sufficient food at home. This affects their concentration in class and some are easily lured with food and little gifts," said Domnick Omondi of Bar Union Primary School in Kisumu County.

Sospeter Gagah of Kabongo Primary School in Homa Bay challenged the Government to intervene to curb drop-out cases caused by sexual abuse.

"The police should be more vigilant and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted in order to discourage such behaviour," he said.

The association's area chairman, Shem Ndolo, however said there had been a reduction in sexual assault cases involving teachers and pupils.

"There have been only isolated cases and we are happy as an organisation that the vice has significantly reduced due to ongoing sex education in schools," Mr Ndolo said.

The conference ends today.