The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) report on sexual violence during last year’s elections is distressing to read. Released in the first week of the global campaign on 16 days of activism, it reminds us we have much more to do to ensure the safety of women and girls during elections. Ironically, it was released on a day that at least 130 MPs declined to show up to work and vote for or against a Bill that would have enshrined equal gender representation.
Most Kenyans agree that the 2017 General Election fell short of the aspiration of free, fair and non-violent elections promised in Article 81 of our Constitution. What has not been comprehensively undocumented to this day is the gender-based violence it unleashed.