Report shows rape hotspots in city

A new report shows that Kasarani, Kayole and slums are leading in sexual and gender violence.

The findings by Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) also reveals shocking figures of victims who have fallen prey to sex beasts in the city's informal settlements.

According to MSF case conference report, 2,421 victims were sexually abused in Nairobi last year.

The report indicates that areas around Kasarani, Githurai, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Marurui, Santon, Mwiki, United States International University and Kenyatta University recorded the highest number of victims, who were sexually abused last year.

Kayole, Soweto, Donholm, Umoja, Jacaranda, Saika and Komarock areas were rated the second.

MCF reports show that the least cases of sexual abuse were reported in Makadara, Nyayo, Mbotela, Maringo, Jericho, Harambee and Buruburu.

In January to December 2015, the trend of new consultations and admission at MSF clinics reached a total of 2,421 victims, with the facility admitting 203 new consultations per month.

According to the report, 92.3 per cent of the victims affected by sexual abuse representing a figure of 2,243 were female while 7.7 per cent representing 186 were male victims.

The report also shows the victims' vulnerability factor. It says 15 per cent representing 367 of the victims reported having been previously assaulted, with 85 per cent of the victims representing 311 and 367 of these not previously put under treatments.

The report further says 56 per cent of all cases were minors, with 5 per cent representing 64 of 1,293 victims reported to the clinic unaccompanied.

The report reveals 1.3 per cent of the victims had mental problems representing 27 victims while 0.4 per cent of the victims were physically challenged. 3.7 per cent representing 91 victims were refugees.

Due to the escalating cases of sexual abuse and gender violence in slums, more than 55 women in major slums have formed Mukuru Women Action Group to protect victims.

The women under the umbrella of Africa Youth Trust funded by an international agency, ActionAid, vowed to have perpetrators of sexual violence in slums reported to relevant authorities.

The group's Chair Hellen Okello said they resolved to form the group to protect victims of sexual and gender violence in informal settlements.

Okello cited Mukuru kwa Njenga and Mukuru kwa Ruben as the areas with the highest crimes related to sexual abuse.

"We formed the group following escalating cases of rape, defilement and gender violence in slums. Some of our members are victims of rape. We struggle to ensure the victims find justice in courts," Okello said.

New ActionAid Chief Executive Officer Adriano Campolina, who visited the slum last week, applauded efforts done by the group in dealing with perpetrators of sexual violence.

"I am inspired by the kind unity and work done by Mukuru women action group, who are trying to restore dignity by pursuing the corridors of justice for victims in slums," Campolina said