Hundreds of women and girls raped during 2007-08 post-election violence struggle with HIV, poverty and social exclusion, Human Rights Watch has said.
The national government has not provided basic help and redress for rape survivors, HRW said.
The I Just Sit and Wait to Die: Reparations for Survivors of Kenya’s 2007-08 Post-Election Sexual Violence report was released at a Nairobi hotel yesterday.
The rights body said the government is reluctant to initiate genuine measures to investigate and punish perpetrators.
The research conducted between November 2014 and October 2015, contains harrowing tales of 172 rape victims, including nine men, the New York-based group reports.
Many victims are still in dire need of medical attention, stricken by poverty and hunger.
Among the women interviewed, 37 said they became pregnant as a result of rape.
Their children face violent stigma and exclusion, the report says.
“Many survivors are ignored and often rejected,” said Agnes Odhiambo, HRW’s senior African women’s rights researcher.
“The Kenyan government has shirked its responsibilities towards the post-election victims of sexual violence.”
Some victims were raped using guns and bottles in front of family members, including young children, the report says. “These women suffer angry feelings towards their children who themselves also face stigma,” the report says.
Perpetrators included militia groups, security forces and humanitarian workers.
“Women and girls were stripped naked, sexually fondled and humiliated. Some men were forcibly circumcised and castrated.”
Many victims are from Nairobi, Rift Valley, Western, Nyanza and Coast.
Last year President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the creation of a Sh10 billion “restorative justice” fund for victims of the violence, but HRW said it is yet to be implemented.
One of the victims who spoke to HRW is a blind woman.
Together with her younger sister, they were raped and infected with HIV by a GSU officer in a Nairobi slum.
As the country edges closer to another election, victims face an uncertain future.
“The government’s failure to effectively close the impunity gap for sexual violence and compensate survivors is contrary to its international human rights obligations,” the HRW said.
It has accused the government of trashing the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission’s report and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-election Violence.
“In almost every case, survivors described profound feelings of hopelessness, self-hatred, shame and sadness. Some contemplated suicide,” HRW said.