Press Release Archives

Date: 15^th July 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement on the Discovery of Bodies at Kware Quarry in Mukuru Kwa Njenga

Nairobi, Kenya – The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness is deeply horrified by the recent discovery of nine mutilated bodies in an abandoned quarry at Kware in Mukuru Kwa Njenga. Our sincerest sympathies and deepest condolences to the families during this difficult time.

We are further appalled by the report from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirming that all the bodies recovered were female. This gruesome discovery signifies a grave violation of human rights and raises urgent concerns about the rule of law, security and the failure of protection measures for all Kenyans and specifically women and girls. It is particularly alarming in light of the recent surge in mysterious disappearances and abductions, including the tragic loss of 39 lives during the Finance Bill 2024 protests, as reported by the KNHRC.

CREAW unequivocally condemns these heinous acts of violence and demands decisive action from the government.

We call for immediate, transparent, and thorough investigations to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. All the relevant authorities must be held accountable for their acts of commission and/or omission. Kenyans deserve to be secure and protected.

In response to these horrific events, CREAW is offering free legal and psychosocial support to the families and all those affected. Please reach out to us through our toll-free line at 0800 720 186.

We remain committed to advocating for a world free of violence and ensuring that the rights and freedoms of all individuals, particularly women and girls, are respected and protected.

For more information, please contact: info@creawkenya.org

About CREAW: The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in Kenya. We work towards creating a just society where women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination, and have the opportunity to thrive with voice and agency.

3rd July 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release: CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF JOHN CHEBOCHOK FROM THE DIRECTORSHIP OF TOROR TEA FACTORY.

The Coalition Against Sexual Violence (CASV), urgently calls for the immediate resignation of Mr. John Chebochok from his recently elected position as Director of Toror Tea Factory, managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

Despite multiple documented attempts to halt his candidacy, Mr. Chebochok is set to be sworn in, an action that profoundly disregards the serious allegations against him. Mr. Chebochok was prominently featured in a BBC documentary that exposed his egregious abuse of power, including sexually exploiting women and demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment. Despite these grave allegations and his subsequent termination by James Finlays, now Browns Investment Plc, in 2023, Mr. Chebochok remained on the ballot. He was never charged in a court of law due to the reluctance of his alleged victims to come forward.

The decision to allow Mr. Chebochok’s bid for the directorship was met with significant concern. On June 24th, Kenya Tea Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai, expressed these concerns in a letter to IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan. Mr. Mutai highlighted the potential negative repercussions on the global market for Kenyan tea. In addition, he noted that the Articles of Association of Tegat Tea Factory Company Limited, under which Toror Tea Factory falls, stipulate that a director must be of good standing in society. Mr. Chebochok’s candidacy clearly violates this stipulation.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must be held accountable for clearing Mr. Chebochok to vie despite the serious allegations highlighted in the BBC expose. This failure to act appropriately raises significant questions about the IEBC’s commitment to ensuring that only candidates of integrity are allowed to hold public office.

The election of Mr. Chebochok represents a significant safeguarding risk to female tea workers and smallholders and undermines the strides made in addressing human rights issues within the tea sector. It also perpetuates a culture of impunity, discouraging victims from speaking out and seeking justice.

Further, Mr. Chebochok’s presence in a leadership role poses a major reputational risk to the Kenyan tea industry. The reappointment of managers terminated for similar offenses by other tea companies has already contributed to this culture of impunity. It is imperative that immediate
action is taken to prevent further damage.

Additionally, we urge the IEBC and the Tea Board of Kenya to take responsibility for this oversight and ensure such a situation is never repeated. Upholding the values of dignity, respect, and fairness is crucial for the integrity of the Kenyan tea industry and for protecting the rights and dignity of survivors of sexual violence.

This statement has been signed off by members of the Coalition against Sexual Violence. They include: Wangu Kanja Foundation, Utu Wetu, Advocates for Social Change Kenya, The African Gender and Media Initiative, Independent Medico Legal Unit, Center for Rights Education and Awareness, The Kenya Legal and Ethical Issue Network, Gender Violence Recovery Center, Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, Association for Grassroots Journalists in Kenya, Flone Initiative, Huru Defenders and ActionAid Kenya.

Press Statement
Date: 27th June 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CREAW Strongly Condemns Recent Killings and Abductions of Kenyans Exercising Their Democratic Rights.

Nairobi, Kenya – The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones during the recent protests against the Finance Bill 2024. We strongly condemn the recent killings of Kenyans who were peacefully protesting this punitive bill. We are deeply saddened and outraged by the violent response meted out to peaceful citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression.

We are also alarmed by reports of abductions targeting Kenyans who have courageously stood up for their rights, including women who have been at the forefront of these protests. These acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and stand in direct violation of the principles of democracy and human rights enshrined in our Constitution.

As a national women’s rights organisation, we stand in solidarity with Kenyans in fully rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 which would exacerbate existing inequalities and deepen the plight of women and girls of Kenya.

We demand justice and accountability from the relevant state agencies and that those responsible for these heinous acts face the full consequences of the law. The protection of citizens and their democratic rights must be the foremost priority of any democratic government. We also demand that the government of Kenya provide a safe environment for Kenyans to peacefully protest as is protected in the constitution.

In response to these events, CREAW is offering free legal aid and counselling services to survivors of violence as well as their families. Affected people can reach out through our Toll-Free line 0800 720 186.

We remain committed to advocating for a world free of violence and ensuring that the rights and freedoms of all individuals, particularly women and girls, are respected and protected.

For more information, please contact: info@creawkenya.org

About CREAW: The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in Kenya. We work towards creating a just society where women and girls can live free from violence and
discrimination, and have the opportunity to thrive with voice and agency.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 17th January 2024
URGENT CALL FOR ACTION AGAINST ESCALATING FEMICIDE INCIDENCES IN KENYA

The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW) is deeply disturbed and appalled by the alarming surge in femicide cases in Kenya, as recently highlighted in the media.

The tragic incidents which include the murder and dismemberment of a 24-year-old woman in Kasarani and the shocking murder of Starlet Wahu at South B, reiterate a distressing pattern of violence against women that continues to plague our society. The recent murders are reminiscent of numerous femicide cases that occurred in Kenya back in 2019 where as many as 84 young women were brutally murdered, reportedly by intimate partners. The re-emergence of femicide in 2024 only serves to underscore the fact that more needs to be done to keep women and girls safe in Kenya.

The gravity of this issue is further highlighted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2021 report, which revealed that 56% of all female homicides globally are committed by intimate partners or family members, in stark contrast to the 11% of male homicides perpetrated in the private sphere. Shockingly, an estimated 45,000 women and girls worldwide lost their lives at the hands of an intimate partner or family member, equating to an average of five women or girls killed every hour within their own families.

Our young women and girls must no longer continue to be part of these shocking statistics. We therefore must all join hands and lend our voices in speaking out and demanding justice for those whose lives have been tragically cut short. In this regard, CREAW calls on the Kenyan government to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of femicide cases. We demand swift and decisive action in bringing the perpetrators to justice, sending a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies follow through on their obligation to address these crimes, ensuring thorough investigations and effective follow-ups.

In addition to this, the Judiciary must ensure it delivers justice impartially, swiftly, and efficiently in these cases. Delayed justice is a denial of justice, and we urge the judiciary to take a zero-tolerance approach towards those who perpetrate violence against women and girls.

Furthermore, we all must ensure that we do not contribute towards the normalization of violence against women and girls and instead work as a nation towards creating an environment where women and girls are safe, protected, and respected. The culture of silence must be shattered, and communities must unite in speaking out and actively preventing and protecting our women and girls.

CREAW stands in solidarity with the slain women and their families, demanding justice, accountability, and an end to the pervasive culture of violence against women and girls. We will continue to work tirelessly towards a society where women and girls can live free from violence and are able to thrive and reach their fullest potential.

Signed
CREAW

About the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness
CREAW envisions a just society where women and girls enjoy full rights and live in dignity. We believe in the equality of rights, with empowerment and justice made available for every woman and girl. We stand for, ensuring women and girls have Power, Voice and Agency. For more information on CREAW, please visit: www.creawkenya.org.

For Further Inquiries
Contact: Njambi Mungai
Email: Njambi.mungai@creawkenya.org

We as the Coalition of Organizations Working on Sexual Violence in Kenya are appalled and deeply saddened by the revelations in the BBC One Panorama investigative report titled Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea that aired on 20th February 2023.

On 17th May 2022, Hon. Justice Odunga of the Machakos High Court ruled that the mandatory minimum sentences provided by the Sexual Offences Act for sexual offences are unconstitutional and that they limit the discretion of the court to determine the appropriate sentence to impose. Consequently, various courts across Kenya are now faced with an overwhelming number of applications for resentencing by prisoners previously convicted of sexual offences. This precedent claws back on the gains made by women rights movements over the years to ensure that gender-based violence is treated with the urgency and weight it deserves.

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We congratulate the newly elected governors for breaking the barriers and shattering the glass ceiling. This is an indication that Kenyans are making a shift from the patriarchal underpinnings that have long undermined prospects of women’s leadership in social, economic and political spaces.

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We take great exception to the comments made by the Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha towards a female Muslim journalist on the 26th July 2022. While addressing a press conference, Magoha zeroed in on the female journalist asking, “who are you representing? If you are representing Al Shabaab, I will not answer you.”

MEDIA STATEMENTState Obligation To Protect Rape Survivors – July 2022

For Immediate ReleaseLitigation on Failure of State to Fulfil its Due Diligence Obligation to Investigate Sexual Offences: Unconstitutionality of Out of Court Settlements Initiated by State ActorsNairobi, KenyaYesterday, 5th July 2022, the Centre for Rights Education & Awareness (CREAW) and IW, a rape survivor, appeared before the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court of Kenya, HCCHR PET E416/2021 – IW & Centre for Rights Education & Awareness (CREAW) vs the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police and others. The complainants seek to hold the state accountable for the failure to fulfil its obligations to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of violence against women. In particular, this case seeks to address a common but understated challenge in the criminal justice system where survivors of sexual violence are not adequately supported by state agents but coerced into entering into settlement agreements with perpetrators. This case seeks to create a wider social impact in the criminal justice system in Kenya where out of court settlements in cases of gender- based violence are rampant. Of specific concern is the role that State actors such as the police play in propagating these out of court settlements which empower perpetrators of violence and leave the victim/survivor grappling with the aftermath of the violence. This creates a culture of rape and impunity in the society. In our submissions, we set out the core components of an effective investigation and standards the role of the police in protecting victims of violence in the criminal justice system. We submitted that the investigation by the police in this case did not meet the threshold for a proper investigation. In response to the Attorney General’s argument that the Inspector General of Police cannot be held liable for the actions of the investigating officer, we argued that the Inspector General of Police can be held accountable for the actions of the police officers who act in their capacity as a police officer and employees of the National Police Service.The judgment will be issued on 17th November 2022 before Hon. Justice Mrima.

The applicants were represented by Winfred Odali who is an alumni of ISLA’s Feminist Litigation Network. The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) is acting as advisor to counsel. ISLA’s Feminist Litigation Network (FLN) aims to develop a pool of African feminist strategic litigators. ISLA achieves this by investing in partner organisations and a raft of capacity strengthening activities such as the strategic litigation institute. She works as a Strategic Litigation Advocate in CREAW where she is steadily developing a portfolio of cases to hold the state accountable for the failure to protect women from violence, among others. This was her maiden appearance before the Constitutional Division.Join the conversation on social media by following:#EndImpunityforVAW#EndVAW For further enquiries kindly contact:Sibongile NdasheISLA Acting Litigation DirectorSibongile@the-isla.org
Winfred OdaliCREAW Strategic Litigation AdvocateWinfred.Odali@creawkenya.org

Date: June 15, 2022

Civil Society Organisations recognized for their efforts in gender quality

The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness was on Tuesday, 14 June, recognized by the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign Network with the Civil Society Award at the State House. This award was a recognition for the work of civil society organisations towards gender equality and development. It was one of the awards complementing the Africa Gender Award 2022, that was presented to H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on the same day. Also awarded was the Kenya Private Sector Alliance which received the Private Sector Award.

The award serves as a mechanism to monitor and reward an African Head of State or Government who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in promoting gender equality and development within the thematic areas of the African Union’s Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality. Kenya has achieved eleven out of twelve operative articles of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa. The award is based on three thematic indices namely HIV Index, Education Index and Gender Parity Index.

HE President Uhuru acknowledged that it took a multi sectoral collaboration with the civil societies and the private sector to achieve the gains that Kenya has had over the past one year.

“CREAW would not have been able to do our work were it not for the enabling environment created by Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia which has opened doors for the civil society to work with the government,” Executive Director of CREAW Wangechi Wachira stated.

To advance gender equality and effectively influence policy change, CREAW continues to work collaboratively with both state and non-state actors. In working with the government , CREAW is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Generation Equality Forum to promote accountability to the bold commitments made. CREAW is also a member of the National Steering committee of Policare to ensure the actualization of the integrated response to Gender based violence (GBV). At the judiciary, CREAW is a member of the National Council on the Administration of Justice working committee set to review the Sexual Offences Act and other related GBV laws to enhance access to justice. Additionally, CREAW works collaboratively with Parliament through KEWOPA on legislative work. At the county level, CREAW is a member of various Gender Sector Working Groups and Court Users Committee in more than 10 counties.

ENDS

About the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness

CREAW envisions a just society where women and girls enjoy full rights and live in dignity. We believe in the equality of rights, with empowerment and justice made available for every woman and girl. We stand for, ensuring women and girls have Power, Voice and Agency. For more information on CREAW, please visit: www.creawkenya.org.

Contact

Njambi Mungai – 0710778890 (njambi.mungai@creawkenya.org)

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