CMMB convened leaders from the Siaya County Government, the State Department of Gender, the Office of the DPP, the Police, the Judiciary, civil society, community leaders, and GBV survivors to confront the hard truths revealed in our latest GBV baseline study in Siaya’s Alego Usonga, Bondo, Gem, and Ugunja sub-counties —and chart a coordinated path forward.
CMMB Kenya is pleased to announce the release of our GBV comprehensive summary report titled “Assessment of Contextual Issues, Manifestations, and Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Siaya County.”
This in-depth study goes beyond national statistics to provide a nuanced understanding of how Gender-Based Violence (GBV) manifests in Siaya County’s unique contexts, from rural villages and peri-urban settlements to the high-risk fishing communities along the shores of Lake Victoria. Conducted across Alego-Usonga, Bondo, Gem, and Ugunja sub-counties, the assessment engaged 562 households and uncovers critical insights that will help strengthen survivor-centered programming and inform targeted prevention efforts.
While awareness of GBV is high (89.3%), a concerning 40% of households reported experiencing at least one form of GBV. This reveals a significant gap between lived experiences and official reporting.
Hidden Forms of Violence
The report highlights defilement as a deeply concealed issue, often resolved privately within families. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of male survivors, who face violence in silence due to cultural stigmas surrounding masculinity.
Alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, and harmful gender norms were identified as primary drivers. Community events such as disco Matanga (funerary gatherings) were noted as high-risk hotspots for exploitation.
Fishing communities along Lake Victoria face distinct vulnerabilities due to high mobility, economic pressures, and power imbalances, where transactional sex and violence are frequently normalized.
CMMB Kenya Program Manager, Hilary Ngeso, sharing report findings.
The report affirms that while the burden of GBV in Siaya County is substantial, it is preventable. It offers practical, actionable recommendations including:
CMMB Kenya Board Member, Prof. Eric Nyambedha during the convening.
We invite partners, stakeholders, government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public to read the full report and join us in collective action to end Gender-Based Violence in Siaya County.
Read full summary report below.