CSO Network joins partners in amplifying the voices of survivors of election-related sexual and gender-based violence whose stories were recently featured in the Daily Nation article “They left me for dead: Survivors of election violence rise to lead.” The article documents the harrowing experiences of survivors of Kenya’s election unrest and their powerful journeys from trauma to leadership and peace-building.
One of the survivors, Evelyn Chelanga, recounts the violence she endured during the 2007 post-election violence in Mbale town after being attacked by a police officer who was meant to restore order:
“The police officer followed me and wrestled me to the ground. He overpowered me and raped me, then left me for dead. It left me with deep trauma and pain.”
The assault shattered her life. She faced rejection within her marriage, stigma from her community, and deep emotional trauma. Reflecting on that period, Evelyn says:
“My husband wanted nothing to do with me. He moved out of our bedroom. My world came crumbling down.”
Despite the absence of justice for the violence she suffered, Evelyn rebuilt her life and emerged as a gender and human rights activist and a GBV champion in Vihiga County, supporting survivors and following defilement and rape cases through the justice system.
“I do not want survivors of sexual violence to lack justice as I did. I follow defilement and rape cases to their conclusion. Two of the cases I have followed have led to convictions, and the perpetrators are now serving jail terms.”
Another survivor featured in the article, Brenda Minayo, was attacked during the 2017 elections by political thugs. After receiving threats to leave her home, she was gang-raped and left for dead after attackers looted her business.
“At around 7pm, scores of goons arrived at my shop. They vandalised everything and stole my entire stock… Then three of them gang-raped me in turns and left me for dead.”
The trauma pushed her into depression and isolation after her husband abandoned her. She recalls:
“I suffered a mental health breakdown because of how society treated me. When my husband left, things became even worse. I withdrew completely and preferred my own company.”
Through counselling and survivor support networks, Brenda began healing and has since become a human rights defender, GBV champion, and peace actor in her community.
“I vowed to become the voice of the voiceless and help them get the justice I was never able to get.”
From Survivors to Peace Leaders
Both Evelyn and Brenda are beneficiaries of the project Advancing Women’s Leadership for Sustainable Peace and Inclusive Governance, implemented by UN Women with funding from the Government of Ireland. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), CSO Network, and Echo Network Africa Foundation.
The project supports survivors of violence to heal, reclaim their voices, and take up leadership roles in peace-building, governance, and community conflict prevention. Through this work, survivors who were once silenced by violence are now shaping safer, more inclusive, and more cohesive communities.
While justice for past violations remains elusive for many, survivors like Evelyn and Brenda continue to redefine justice through advocacy, survivor support, court follow-ups, and peace-building efforts.
