This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
More than 20,000 girls are impregnated annually in Kakamega County, with a significant number being under 16 years old. According to a study by AMREF, Kakamega is among the top five counties in the country with the highest number of girls impregnated.
According to Sylvia Wamugi, AMREF's Kakamega County Manager, over 50 girls are impregnated daily in the county, with the Shinyalu, Matungu, and Malava constituencies being among the leading areas in this regard.
Sexual exploitation is not the only danger facing girls in Kakamega. Many are also at risk of being defiled, raped, and forced into early marriage, which can have devastating consequences for their future and the future of their children.
Over the past month, more than 10 cases of defilement have been reported in Kakamega, with many of the cases involving family members. The victims often lack access to justice, and the perpetrators are rarely held accountable.
On October 9, a 53-year-old father was arrested for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter in the Lurambi constituency. The victim's mother had left the family after becoming pregnant with another child, and the father had allegedly forced the victim to engage in sexual activity with him in exchange for food and other necessities.
On October 15, another case of defilement was reported in the same constituency, involving an 80-year-old grandfather who allegedly defiled his 12-year-old granddaughter. The victim had previously been defiled by the grandfather on several occasions, with the grandfather allegedly paying her Sh5 and a viperemende to keep quiet.
On November 5, a 50-year-old father was arrested for allegedly impregnating his 13-year-old daughter and defiling her 14-year-old sister in the Malava constituency. The father had allegedly claimed that he had been left by his wife after she became pregnant with another child and had been forced to seek solace in the victim.
On October 6, a 56-year-old man was arrested for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl in the Lurambi constituency. The victim had allegedly been paid Sh20 by the perpetrator before being defiled.
These cases are just a few examples of the many instances of defilement that have been reported in Kakamega over the past few months. Many of the cases involve family members, and the victims often lack access to justice.
The problem of defilement in Kakamega is complex and multifaceted. Poverty, lack of education, and cultural practices that perpetuate the exploitation of girls are all contributing factors.
According to Sylvia Wamugi, AMREF's Kakamega County Manager, the problem of defilement in Kakamega is exacerbated by the fact that many girls are forced to drop out of school due to poverty and lack of access to education.
Wamugi also noted that the problem of defilement in Kakamega is not just a matter of individual perpetrators, but also a societal issue that requires a collective response.
She called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to take responsibility for educating girls about their rights and providing them with the support and resources they need to protect themselves from exploitation.
Wamugi also emphasized the need for the government to take a more proactive role in addressing the problem of defilement in Kakamega, including providing support for victims and perpetrators, and implementing policies and programs that promote the education and empowerment of girls.
Ultimately, the solution to the problem of defilement in Kakamega requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that involves the government, civil society, and the community.
