NEWS
350 cases of sexual assault reported during skirmishes, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, 12 March 2008
Written By:Judy Maina


Nairobi province recorded the highest number of rape and defilement cases during the post election violence that hit the country after the December general elections.

A report released Wednesday by the Red Cross in conjunction with Nairobi women's hospital indicates that the hospital received over 350 cases of sexual assault.

Speaking during the release of the report, the hospital's Chief Executive Dr. Sam Thenya says the number could be higher since many cases go unreported.

This he says could now increase the number of HIV victims who go untreated hence reversing the gains already made.

Out of the cases reported at the hospital, 149 of them were children with the youngest victim being two years old.

Other towns that reported high cases include Kiambu, Nakuru and Naivasha among others.

Meanwhile a psychosocial programme initiated by the Nairobi Women Hospital in collaboration with the red cross has so far reached about 150,000 internally displaced persons countrywide.

The initiative with over 450 volunteers is involved in counseling and provision of assistance to the post election violence victims.

Speaking during the launch of the interim report on post election violence victims in the last two months, the programme coordinator June Koinange says following the signing of the national accord there is need for continued partnership from all stakeholders in creating awareness among the IDPs.

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