Kenyan security forces raped, beat and assaulted civilians during violence in recent elections, according to a report published by International Rights group, Human Rights Watch.
The report released in Nairobi on Thursday indicates that there was widespread sexual violence committed against women and girls, as well as sexual attacks on men.
The rights group has called for a public inquiry into the violence with the aim of bringing justice to those responsible for the attacks.
The report, titled “They Were Men in Uniform: Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Kenya’s 2017 Elections”, is based on interviews with 68 women and girls and three men all of whom allege they were sexually attacked.
Many of those who were assaulted did not receive any post rape medical care due to fear of stigmatisation and in some cases due to intimidation by the police.
Reports from various civil society organisations in Kenya indicate that at least 58 people have died in violent clashes between police and civilians since the August 8th elections. Police have not responded to the allegations made in the report.
