African Woman and Child Feature Service

Two years following the events of the post-election violence in Kenya, 35 year old Elizabeth Nduku who lives in Kibera was saved by the prompt action of her neighbors.

 Gang raped in the presence of her husband and child, her life would have taken an even worse turn were it not for the support she received from those who knew her.

 They rushed her to Mbagathi District Hospital where she was admitted within 12 hours of being assaulted.

“I woke up in hospital, I couldn’t believe what had happened, when the counselor talked to me about my ordeal, I wanted to hear none of it,” she says. 

“I wanted everybody to live me alone.”

According to the World Health organization Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is short-term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure, either occupationally or through sexual intercourse.  

She remembers taking anti-retroviral drugs for close to a month. Fortunately, initial and subsequent tests revealed she was HIV negative. Her husband is also HIV negative.

There is mounting evidence that early intervention and immediate counseling speeds up the recovery of a rape survivor. 

“I was infected with a sexually transmitted disease, for which I also received treatment for after further hospital at the Kenyatta National Hospital,” she says.

For Elizabeth, counselling has helped her cope with the aftermath of her experience. 

“I used to shake uncontrollably when I see an askari’s uniform, but I’m still attending counselling at the Kenyatta Hospital,” She adds.

Elizabeth recently learnt of the 72 hours window that is important in receiving care after rape through a series of workshops held within Kibera by the Centre of Rights and Awareness (CREAW). 

Caroline Nyambura the Programme Coordinator for Centre for Rights and Awareness says, “We are hoping to change the mindset of the affected women and others by not only creating awareness about sexual violence but also the legal consequences it comes with.”

Another survivor 27 year old  Rose Achieng whose harrowing story details how she lost her sister after the post election period due to what she says was a combination of trauma and gang-rape.  

She says that they were both taken to hospital immediately after by good Samaritans, her sister succumbed to her injuries two days after.

She says apart from getting a sexually transmitted disease for which she took medication for 5 months, she is HIV negative. 

Specialized Care in the Aftermath of Assault

There are evolving specially designed gender and recovery care centres in Kenya not only in the private but also public healthcare system.

They include the Nairobi Women and Kenyatta National Hospital Gender and Recovery center among others. 

 Ideally a survivor can receive treatment from any health care facility in Kenya but most of the centres are specialized thus most women from far and wide visit these places even when the window is fast closing.

Treatment provided in hospital includes post exposure prophylaxis, emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection treatment. All this should be ideally provided within 72 hours of assault.

Judith Akinyi a community health worker says within Kibera there are many organizations providing post-rape care however most women are too embarrassed to seek help as they hold themselves responsible for the rape. 

Locating the course of Justice

Most women hope that they can get justice, however most cannot locate Hague on a map, a point driven home by Rose who says she feels justice is a long way off.

Instead she says she would rather forget what happened and move on with life. 

Further most victims were not sure what role the Truth justice and reconciliation commission would play in getting justice as either they couldn’t identify their perpetrators or were afraid of the stigma they would get from the community.

Legal experts say access to justice is important but also say that women get short changed from the high cost of accessing justice, ignorance and technicality of the court process.

The road to justice remains an up hill task.