Bungoma: Judiciary lauds SHOFCO’s intervention in helping SGBV survivors

For Shilla, the pain of seeing her Form Three daughter sexually abused was made worse by the response of the alleged perpetrator’s family.

Instead of condemning the abuse and supporting the teenager, the family suggested that their son should marry the girl.

Her daughter’s case exposed rooted cultural beliefs that silence survivors and allow perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to escape accountability and deny justice to the survivor. 

“They told us that since their son had already defiled my daughter, the solution was for him to marry her.

“But my daughter had a right to go to school and build her life. She was a child, and what happened to her was not something that should be rewarded with marriage,” Shilla said.  

According to National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) 2024 report, Bungoma County reported alarmingly high rates of SGBV, with 62% of women experiencing physical violence and 30% facing sexual violence, significantly surpassing the national averages of 34% a and 35% respectively. 

With support from Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), Shilla and her daughter were able to navigate the justice system. The perpetrator was eventually convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

While supporting survivors through the justice process remains critical, SHOFCO’s work in Bungoma also focuses on preventing SGBV before it occurs by addressing the social norms, stigma and community practices that enable violence to persist.

SHOFCO’s prevention work is implemented in collaboration with police, Children Services, the Judiciary and community leadership, helping strengthen both community-level prevention and institutional responses to SGBV 

Shilla’s experience is among cases cited by the Judiciary and other government agencies as evidence of the critical role SHOFCO is playing in helping SGBV survivors access justice and support services in Bungoma County.

Speaking at Bungoma Law Courts Ruth Maloba Senior Principal Magistrate, thanked SHOFCO for its active participation in the Court Users Committee and its efforts to ensure that survivors are not left alone to navigate the often complex justice system.

“SHOFCO has helped survivors with legal  representation, fees, transport reimbursement , counselling, and linkage to SHOFCO scholarship program for continuation of school; this has made a significant difference in their ability to pursue justice,” she said.

Maloba said some survivors face enormous challenges after abuse, making it difficult for them to attend court, seek medical attention or continue with their education.

She cited two cases where SHOFCO’s intervention was witnessed.

“In one case, a minor who had been defiled developed a fistula and required urgent medical attention. SHOFCO stepped in and helped the survivor access the assistance she needed.

“In another case, a young girl was experiencing difficulties walking and had urinary problems following the abuse. She was also struggling to return to school. SHOFCO came in to support her medical needs and help her begin rebuilding her life,” she stated.

Maloba said the interventions had also contributed to successful prosecutions, with four perpetrators jailed this year in cases where SHOFCO supported survivors through the justice process.

For Linet Jelagat, the pain of learning that her eight-year-old daughter had been defiled was overwhelming.

She said SHOFCO helped her family understand the court process and provided counselling to help her daughter cope with the trauma.

“My daughter received medical attention, and we were supported through the court process.  When the perpetrator was finally sentenced to life imprisonment, I felt that justice had been done for my child,” she stated.

Wycliffe Minishi, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Bungoma County Prosecutor, said SHOFCO had stepped in to address a major gap in the fight against SGBV by preparing survivors to participate in court proceedings.

“One of the serious challenges we have had is survivors coming to court while emotionally unprepared to testify.

“SHOFCO has helped to fill that gap by providing pre court preparations and counselling, which gives survivors the confidence to appear before the courts and tell their stories,” Minishi said.

He recalled a recent case in which a survivor, after receiving the necessary support, testified in court and the magistrate found that the evidence had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

“When survivors are supported, they are more confident and better prepared to participate in the justice process. This ultimately strengthens the ability of the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable,” he added.

SHOFCO’s work in Bungoma goes beyond responding to cases after violence has occurred. The organisation is also investing in prevention by working with communities, families, young people, community leaders and government actors to challenge harmful social norms that enable SGBV, promote early reporting and strengthen awareness of available protection and justice services. 

At Bungoma Police Station, Officer Commanding Station Winnie Chepkosgei said SHOFCO's intervention had also extended to prevention and community awareness.

“SHOFCO has helped us create awareness across our area of jurisdiction, and this has contributed to reducing cases of SGBV. They work very closely with our gender officers, and this collaboration has helped us reach communities with information on prevention, reporting and the importance of seeking justice,” Chepkosgei said.

She said many cases go unreported because of stigma, fear, family pressure and cultural beliefs.

“These are issues that cannot be addressed by the police alone. We need community organisations, government agencies and the Judiciary to work together so that survivors know where to go and perpetrators understand that they will be held accountable,” she said.

The State Department of Children Services has also credited SHOFCO with strengthening the protection of children who come into contact with the justice system.

Mbesa James, Bungoma County Children Officer, said SHOFCO had helped equip Children Protection Units (CPUs) at Bungoma Police Station, and Chesikaki Police Station. 

“Children need a safe and child-friendly environment immediately after they are rescued or report abuse. SHOFCO has supported the equipping of Children Protection Units in police stations, and this has greatly helped in keeping children safe as other legal processes take place,” Mbesa said.

But beyond the courtroom and police stations, community attitudes remain a major obstacle.

Sarah Munoko, a SHOFCO case worker in Mount Elgon, said some cultural practices continue to make it difficult for women and girls to escape violence.

“In some communities, including among the Pokot and Bukusu, there are cultural beliefs that can tolerate wife beating and early marriage. These beliefs complicate our work because survivors may be pressured to remain silent or return to situations where they are being abused,” Munoko said.

She said changing these attitudes requires sustained community engagement.

“We have to speak to families, elders, young people and community leaders. A survivor should never be told that violence is part of marriage or that a child should be married to the person who abused her,” she said.

Dr Kennedy Odede, SHOFCO founder and CEO, said the organisation’s approach combines prevention, survivor support and accountability.

“Our responsibility is not only to support survivors after violence has occurred, but also to work with communities to prevent violence from happening in the first place. This means challenging harmful norms, equipping families and young people with knowledge, strengthening referral pathways and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

“Survivors need counselling, medical care, legal assistance and a safe environment to recover, but lasting change will come when communities are also empowered to prevent violence and protect children and women,” Odede said.