Mombasa: Hope For GBV Victims As County Opens KSh 38M Rescue Centre

• The Gender Based Violence rescue centre was commissioned by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Chief Justice Martha Koome
• According to the county, the centre worth KSh 38 million will offer counseling services and have a medical clinic
• The centre has a capacity of hosting 200 people rescued from violent and abusive environments and a 32-year-old mother of five is among first beneficiaries

The fight against Gender Based Violence has received a major boost after Mombasa county opened a rescue centre for victims of the vice that has been escalating over years.

Gender Based Violence in Kenya

The centre situated at Maunguja area will be a hosting centre for GBV victims, especially those from poor backgrounds therefore, more vulnerable to abuse.

Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of the facility on Tuesday, August 1, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir who was accompanied by Chief Justice Martha Koome, said the establishment of the centre was informed by the number of reported cases of abuse.

"The number of GBV cases is alarming with both young girls and boys being the most affected. This centre will offer refuge to victims from poor and vulnerable communities as a priority," Nassir said, reiterating his commitment to eradicate GBV.

He raised concern over the rising incidents of physical and emotional abuse among both young and grown Mombasa men.

According to statistics by the Mombasa county, there have been at least 5,350 reported cases of physical and emotional violence between 2019 and 2023.

Gender Based Violence statics in Mombasa

Another 866 cases of sexual violence were recorded during this period though authorities indicated that most cases go unreported because of stigma and cultural influences.

The governor explained that his agenda was to have a community where every resident, regardless of their race, religion and social status lived a safe and meaningful life.

“In the year 2022-2023 alone we have recorded over 2,000 GBV cases among adolescent boys and men; underscoring the urgent need for collective action and awareness," the county chief said.

Susan Charo, 32, and a mother of five is one of the beneficiaries of the centre which she described as light at the end of the tunnel.

Mombasa woman rescued from abusive husband

"We have been here for six months. I am a mother of five children who are in primary and secondary school and a victim of GBV. My husband who was drinking a lot chased me from our home and married another woman," she said.

After her forcible eviction, Charo went to put up with her friend but knew deeply that she was burdening her and was relieved after she was taken in to the centre.

Another rescued GBV victim is 17-year-old Zeddy Bahati who was rescued from human trafficking and sexual harrasment.

Bahati is a Tanzanian national but is unable to trace her family after she was trafficked into Kenya.

"I can't go home now or ever, I can't remember anybody, the abductors sedated me and my memory has never been the same again. A good Samaritan picked me and we stayed together for a month before she brought me here where I believe I will be able to rise again," Bahati narrated.

She is determined to be a human rights lobbyist so that she can give back to the community the way she was helped.

Rahab Mtengo Mwashigadi, 69, was rescued from her home where her step-son was serially abusing her sexually.

The elderly woman told TUKO.co.ke she was living like a homeless Kenyan despite having a four-acre piece of land in Shanzu that was snatched from her after the death of her husband.

Martha Koome to establish legal aid centre for GBV victims

"My step-son has been doing evil things to me. Since my husband died, I have been subjected to frequent abuse incidents. My step-son could beat me regularly and I was constantly in pain,"Mwashighadi recounted.

Koome lauded Nassir for the move, saying it was proof that collective responsibility approach would boost the fight against GBV and promised to oversee the establishment of a legal aid centre to offer pro bono services to the vulnerable and victims.

"I will help establish a legal aid unit at the centre where the public will also be empowered on their rights and where to find help," she said.

Nassir called out men who had the audacity of beating women and challenged them, to instead bombard the ladies with money and love, not kicks and blows.