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Rapes surge in riotous Kenya
02/01/2008 22:42 - (SA)
Nairobi - Cases of sexual violence against women have risen dramatically in Kenya since a dispute over the presidential poll sparked widespread riots, staff from a specialised Nairobi hospital said on Wednesday.
"Since the post-election violence started, we have seen an upsurge in terms of the number of gang rapes," said Sam Thenya, head of the Nairobi Women's Hospital.
He said 19 women had reported to the hospital, which offers free consultations to rape victims, over the past 24 hours.
"But what these women who are coming to us right now are saying is that there are very many others who are out there, who have been unable to access," Thenya added.
Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared president on Sunday, a result defeated challenger Raila Odinga promptly rejected, sparking nationwide rioting and tribal strife involving disgruntled opposition supporters.
"They told us their stories, some of them were gang-raped and sodomised in front of their families," Thenya said, adding that some had sustained other physical injuries.
The United Nations' Nairobi headquarters also voiced concern at reports that rampaging mobs were carrying out acts of sexual violence.
"There are disturbing reports of victimisation of vulnerable groups including sexual abuse of and assault on women and children," the UN said in a statement.
According to a tally compiled by AFP with police officials, mortuary attendants and medical sources, at least 328 people have been killed in election-related violence since the December 27 polls.
- SAPA
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