By Rae Burnet and Elijah Oluga
A renewed wave of collective action swept through the streets of Kisumu as residents and human rights defenders joined hands for a major procession marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The energetic march served as the grand finale of a comprehensive three-day campaign designed to break the silence surrounding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and build safer communities. By taking their message directly to the streets, the demonstrators created widespread public awareness and firmly challenged residents to stand up and speak out against all forms of systemic violence.
The successful campaign began on Wednesday, June 17, with an intensive internal sensitization exercise held right at the Huduma Centre. Recognizing that institutional transformation must start from within, organizers gathered Huduma Centre staff and key civil society partners to focus heavily on gender mainstreaming and workplace safety. During these initial sessions, Tabitha Ojwang from Make Me Smile Kenya led the dialogue, urging public servants to integrate strong gender perspectives into their daily interactions and strictly avoid all forms of harassment. She reminded the participants that establishing environments rooted in absolute dignity, respect, and fairness is a fundamental responsibility for every individual.
The event brought together key leaders and partners to address the urgent crisis in the region. In his remarks, the Kisumu County Commissioner, Mohammed Mwabudzo, noted that gender-based violence is deeply linked to the broader security and peace of the community, and that prevention is the most effective approach. He urged local leaders to speak out against violence before it occurs and called for intensified training for boda boda riders and youth groups to strengthen local administration and actively engage men in prevention efforts.
Adding immense administrative weight to the campaign, the CEM for Sports, Culture, Gender, and Youth Affairs, Hon. Beatrice Odongo, delivered a keynote address highlighting the county’s progressive milestones. In her speech, Hon. Odongo emphasized that sexual violence in conflict is an outright attack on human dignity, peace, and development, disproportionately impacting women, girls, men, boys, and persons with disabilities. While noting that Kisumu may not face traditional armed conflict, she acknowledged that gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and political unrest still threaten vulnerable populations, demanding immediate and coordinated action.
To decisively address these threats, Hon. Odongo revealed that the County Government of Kisumu has put extensive effort into developing an SGBV Policy, alongside a Gender and Equity Policy and a forthcoming bill slated for public participation next week. The administration is also actively establishing situation and recovery centers within sub-county hospitals while prioritizing the creation of dedicated safe houses and spaces. Hon. Odongo noted that these interventions are designed to enhance access to survivor-centred services, including medical care, psychosocial support, and legal aid, while strengthening local referral pathways, promoting community awareness, and holding perpetrators strictly accountable.
Building upon this internal foundation, the campaign immediately expanded outward to the general public over the next two days. A high-visibility information and support desk was set up directly outside the Huduma Centre, serving as an accessible frontline avenue for everyday citizens. Throughout the two-day engagement, desk officers provided vital guidance, distributed resource materials, and encouraged members of the public to come forward with any personal concerns. This proactive outreach successfully demystified reporting pathways, promoted the critical importance of early case reporting, and significantly boosted direct community participation in preventing gender-based exploitation.
The entire week of advocacy culminated in the solidarity procession, which beautifully united county officials, civil society organizations, and passionate residents. Marching in unison, the participants carried banners advocating for the protection of human dignity and the complete eradication of conflict-related vulnerabilities. By bridging internal government training with open public demonstrations, Kisumu has demonstrated a model framework for human rights advocacy, proving that ending sexual violence requires an unwavering, collective commitment from both state actors and the communities they serve.
