A new report by the Maraga task force has exposed widespread sexual violence against women in the Kenya Police Service, Prisons Service, and National Youth Service (NYS).
According to the findings, women officers face sexual harassment, coercion, and rape, often with little hope of justice. The report paints a grim picture of a toxic workplace culture where victims suffer in silence, fearing retaliation or career setbacks if they report abuse.
The report highlights a deeply entrenched culture of harassment within these institutions, where women are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Gender desks, intended to handle complaints, are often poorly equipped and lack the resources to offer meaningful support. In many cases, victims face a lack of privacy, and basic tools like P3 forms and police abstracts are unavailable. These factors contribute to a culture of silence, where officers are discouraged from speaking out.
Pregnant women are especially targeted, with some coerced into providing sexual favors in exchange for lighter duties. The report reveals that many female officers do not fully understand what constitutes sexual harassment, leaving them at greater risk of exploitation. The phrase “mali ya mkubwa” (the boss’s property) has been used to demean and degrade female officers, illustrating the disrespect and abuse they face.
The Maraga task force has called for urgent reforms to address these issues, including anonymous reporting systems, thorough investigations, and professional counseling services for victims. It also recommends improved security measures, such as better lighting and CCTV cameras at work sites, as well as separating living quarters for junior and senior officers to prevent power imbalances that foster abuse.
