In the hustle and bustle of their livelihood, bodaboda operators across the country encounter clients of all kinds. However, amidst their struggles to earn a living, some face harrowing experiences of adult assault.
A bodaboda rider in Kangemi, Nairobi, bravely shared his ordeal, revealing that he had been assaulted not once or twice, but four times. Fearful of potential repercussions, he chose not to report these incidents, dreading that the assailants might manipulate the information if he did. “It starts innocently enough—a female customer buys furniture, and she needs help carrying it to her apartment. Once you arrive, the situation takes a dark turn. In one instance, I delivered a cabinet, and she suddenly locked the door, coercing me into a horrifying situation,” he recounted, his voice laden with trauma.
A father of four, he finds it incredibly difficult to report such incidents to the police. He fears disbelief from law enforcement officers and societal ridicule, perpetuating a culture of silence among male victims. Another bodaboda rider in Kawangware, Nairobi, echoed a similar tale. He described a long-time customer who had been stalking him for over seven months. One day, this customer trapped him inside a house, threatening to scream if he refused to comply with the assailant’s demands.
Health and reproductive rights advocate, Elsie Milimu from Kelin organization, highlighted the pervasive stigma and societal norms that deter male victims from seeking justice. “Fear of reporting persists. The law does not discriminate based on gender, yet police stations remain dubious grounds for male victims. There’s an unfounded skepticism—how can a woman assault a man?” she said.
It is essential to recognize that adult assault affects not only women but also men. Research indicates that seven percent of men in Kenya experience adult assault, shedding light on the silent suffering endured by male victims in the shadows of society. As conversations around gender-based violence continue, it is imperative to break the silence, dispel stereotypes, and provide a safe space for all victims to seek justice and healing.
By Ntc