The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Members of Parliament have expressed strong support for the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to roll out nationwide public education campaigns on sexual crimes and secure the right to education for survivors, including teenage mothers.
The proposed law, sponsored by Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya Aburi, seeks to amend the Sexual Offences Act (Cap. 63A). It would require the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Legal Affairs, working alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Education, to spearhead public awareness initiatives through structured education and information programs.
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In addition, the Bill proposes measures to safeguard and promote the educational rights of survivors of sexual violence.
Donya told the House that inadequate awareness has hindered efforts to curb sexual and gender-based violence.
“If the public is not educated about these offences, they will continue to occur,” she said, adding that understanding the law plays a key role in prevention.
She pointed out that misinformation and stigma, especially in rural communities, often deny victims justice. For instance, she noted that some families unknowingly destroy crucial evidence by advising survivors to bathe before seeking medical attention.
The legislator stressed that victims should be informed of their rights and feel safe reporting cases without fear of shame or social backlash. She also emphasized the importance of giving teenage mothers and survivors an opportunity to continue their education.
Nandi County MP Cynthia Muge supported the Bill, observing that although Kenya has strong legal frameworks, enforcement remains inconsistent. She said the amendment would help close the gap between legislation and public understanding, enabling citizens to know how to respond when violations occur.
Kitui South MP Racheal Nyamai described sexual violence as a widespread problem affecting all segments of society. She noted that the scale of abuse in the country would be alarming if every survivor spoke out.
Nyamira County MP Jerusha Momanyi also endorsed the proposal, calling for rape and defilement cases to be treated as state-led prosecutions to shield victims from intimidation and stigma. She argued that leaving survivors to shoulder the burden of pursuing justice discourages many from proceeding with cases.
If passed, the amendment would compel the Ministry of Education and the State Department for Legal Affairs to implement school-based and community outreach programs, while also developing reintegration plans for survivors, particularly teenage mothers, to return to school.
Donya concluded that laws alone are not enough, urging Parliament to ensure public education becomes a central pillar in the fight against sexual violence in Kenya.
