‘Sexual violence a tool for electoral-related conflict’

Kenyan police are accused of committing the majority of sexual violence reported during last year's opposition protests over election results, the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has noted. Its new report focuses on alleged gang rapes and other abuses following the announcement of presidential election results on 11 August and the Supreme Court’s order for a fresh vote. A report on the News24 site notes that victims of sexual violence said the perpetrators included ordinary citizens, criminals and members of security forces, who allegedly accounted for 54% of the 201 cases recorded. ‘From the commission's findings, it can be deduced that sexual violence is being used as a weapon for electoral-related conflict,’ the report says.