The Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) has denounced the violence meted out on girls and women during the June 25 commemorative protests yesterday.
In a statement dated June 26, the senators claimed that several women had suffered different forms of attacks, including intimate assault and molestation.
This statement comes hours after reports resurfaced on social media that several women were assaulted in the aftermath of the protests, prompting angry reactions from Kenyans.
In fact, one such attack went viral as the purported perpetrator took to X to celebrate the assault.
"The women of Kenya wish to condemn, in the strongest terms, the senseless violence witnessed during the protests held on 25th June, 2025 that led to fatalities, grievous bodily harm, other injuries, rape and molestation of innocent women and girls, and arsonist attacks on businesses, government installations and key infrastructure," the statement read.
"We particularly decry the violence that was meted out on women and girls, including acts of sexual violence, which unfortunately are being celebrated by the perpetrators and other members of the public on social media."
As such, the association issued four demands to four government institutions to prevent a recurrence of the same.
Firstly, they called on the State Department for Gender and the National Gender and Equality Commission to provide comprehensive support and protection to survivors, including medical and psychological support.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations was urged to immediately and thoroughly investigate all reported incidents of sexual violence.
Subsequently, KEWOSA directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure swift and fair prosecution of perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.
Lastly, the women called on all their partners involved in legal and medical aid to support the victims in any way they can.
Besides the rapes, the protests also left at least 16 dead and 400 injured, a stark irony as they had been organised to celebrate the 60 victims of the 2024 anti-finance bill protests.
