NAIROBI, Kenya –  According to a press release issued by UNICEF yesterday, Kenya has seen a rise in child rapes since last month’s disputed presidential election sparked violence and forced thousands into makeshift camps.  UNICEF spokeswoman Veronique Taveau told reports that overcrowding and lack of security at the camps are making women and children vulnerable to opportunistic sexual assaults.  Girls and women in the camp “trade sex for biscuits, protection, transportation, or are raped while trying to get to a latrine during the night.”

The Gender Violence Recovery Center in Mombasa has seen a doubling of sexual violence cases since last month’s elections, especially gang rapes of young girls and boys.  As a result of these attacks, there is a very high risk of HIV/AIDS spreading as many of the victims don’t report the attacks and are therefore not getting treatment within the recommended 72 hours to prevent infection.   

UNICEF has dispatched more than $1.2 million in emergency supplies and has had teams on the ground since the violence began.  However, more funds are needed to protect children from violence and abuse and to help who have already been affected. 

800 people have died and a quarter of a million have been forced to flee their homes following the 27 December election which sparked violent clashes between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Sex attacks on the rise in Kenya: UNICEF – 26 January 2008

AP – UNICEF: Kenya Child Rapes on Rise – 26 January 2008

AllAfrica.com – Kenya: UNICEF Warns of Abuses Against Children – 25 January 2008

VOA News – UNICEF Reports Sexual Violence Increasing in Kenya – 25 January 2008