Women senators condemn sexual violence during protests, demand justice, urgent DCI probe
Kewosa said the protests, which also resulted in deaths, injuries, and property destruction, exposed women and girls to horrific abuses that must never be tolerated.
Women senators have strongly condemned the sexual assaults against women and girls during the June 25 anti-government protests, describing the attacks as barbaric, dehumanising, and a blatant violation of human rights.
The Kenya Women Senators Association (Kewosa) cited credible reports of rape, molestation, and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls during the protests, and called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to urgently investigate the incidents and bring all perpetrators to justice.
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In a statement on Thursday, Kewosa said the protests, which also led to fatalities, injuries, and destruction of property, exposed women and girls to horrific abuses that must not be tolerated.
“The women of Kenya wish to condemn, in the strongest terms, the senseless violence witnessed during the protests held on 25th June, 2025 that led to fatalities, grievous bodily harm, other injuries, rape and molestation of innocent women and girls and arsonist attacks on businesses, government installations and key infrastructure,” Kewosa said.
Heinous acts
The senators expressed deep concern that some of the heinous acts were not only going unpunished but were also being glorified by perpetrators and segments of the public on social media.
“We particularly decry the violence that was meted out on women and girls, including acts of sexual violence which unfortunately are being celebrated by the perpetrators and other members of the public on social media,” the senators said.
They described sexual violence as a grave violation of human rights, stressing that when such acts occur during protests, they cause immense trauma and are meant to suppress women’s right to participate in public life.
“Sexual violence, in any form, is a grave violation of human rights. When perpetrated during protests, it not only inflicts immense physical and psychological harm on victims but also serves to silence, intimidate, and prevent women and girls from exercising their fundamental right to freedom of assembly and expression,” the legislators said.
Women’s safety
While reaffirming support for the constitutional freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly under Articles 33 and 37, the senators insisted that such rights must not come at the expense of women’s safety.
“The targeting of women and sexual violence in particular is a deplorable act that must be condemned by everyone. Why should demonstrations target the bodies of women and girls? How does the rape of women and girls assist anyone to achieve their objectives?” Kewosa asked.
The legislators called on all people of goodwill to speak out and reject the normalisation of such abuse.
They further called on the organisers of the June 25 demonstrations to publicly state their position on the incidents.
“We call upon all people of goodwill to come out and condemn these heinous acts. We also call upon those who know anyone who engaged in these disgraceful acts to report them,” they said.
“In the spirit of accountability, we call upon the organisers of the demonstrations to state their position on the acts of violence that took place on 25th June, 2025.”
Protection for survivors
The women senators urged the State Department for Gender and the National Gender and Equality Commission to offer full support and protection to survivors of sexual violence, including access to medical and psychological care.
They called on the DCI to immediately and thoroughly investigate all reported cases of sexual assault, and further appealed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure swift and fair prosecution of all perpetrators.
The legislators urged all legal and medical aid partners to step in and assist the victims in every possible way.
“We urge everyone to speak out against these atrocities and work together to ensure accountability and justice. The right to protest must never come at the cost of safety and dignity for women and girls,” Kewosa said.
Expressing solidarity with all survivors, the senators reaffirmed their commitment to fight for a society where women and girls can participate in public life safely and without fear.
“We stand in solidarity with all survivors of sexual violence and reaffirm our commitment to continue advocating for a society where women and girls can participate fully and safely in all aspects of public life, free from fear and violence,” they said.
As women leaders, they urged the public to embrace nonviolence and unity.
“We call upon the members of the public to choose peace over violence. Violence has no place in a democratic society, as it hinders progress. Our nation’s strength lies in fostering a peaceful environment where we can all thrive. We urge all of us to uphold peace.”
Kewosa also announced its collaboration with FIDA-Kenya and urged victims of sexual and gender-based violence to seek help by calling FIDA’s toll-free number: 0800 720 501.
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