Shocking details of sex abuse in Kenyan schools

Informal settlements, often presided over by local leaders and administrators such as councillors, chiefs and village elders, were also a big problem. In some cases, the abused girls and their parents were given cash as compensation; or the offenders offered to marry the girls.

“Low rates of reporting exacerbate the prevalence rates as more and more teachers take advantage of the kangaroo courts and the ignorance of parents,” said the report. The report showed that parents, head teachers and district education officials were the greatest hindrance to reporting of the cases to the TSC.

“In an instance where the parent is totally negative about proceeding with the case, said the report, then the entire process is impaired.” It said the fact that headteachers and education officials were identified as discouraging the cases from proceeding to the TSC indicated an almost lost battle.

The study showed that 73 per cent of the culprits taken to the TSC sought leniency on the fact that they were the sole bread winners of their families. Their case was interpreted to mean they loved their jobs and perhaps they would not have engaged in the vice had they been given proper advice on the consequences.

Some offenders argued they were good teachers producing good results in their schools. “This argument has for quite some time sold well to the parents and a number of press reports have highlighted the parents’ role in protecting amorous teachers,” the report said of the good results argument.

The report blames TSC’s disciplinary procedures, saying they contributed in delayed justice in sexual abuse cases. According to the rules, the cases are supposed to be reported by headteachers. In the event that such cases are reported directly to the teachers, then the TSC writes to the headteachers to confirm the allegations in the case of secondary schools and district education officials in the case of primary schools.

Some of the cases are also handled by school boards and committees before they are taken to higher levels. In handling by different players, says the report, some of evidence is lost along the way and distortions are common.