The recent sexual abuse allegations against a teacher at Alliance Girls High School have left many Kenyans reeling with anger, disbelief, and sorrow. 

That such horrifying betrayal of trust and atrocities could unfold under the guise of mentorship in one of Kenya’s most prestigious girls’ institutions is a sobering indication of systemic failures to protect our children.  

While we rightly demand justice for the survivors and accountability from school authorities, we must also ask a deeper, more urgent question: How do we prevent such abuse from happening in the first place? 

One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in schools is Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).  

Contrary to negative intuitions that CSE encourages early sexual activity, it actually equips children and young people with accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant information that empowers them to understand their bodies, recognise abuse, assert their boundaries, and seek help when their rights are violated. 

Young girls across Kenya are taught to excel academically. But too often, they are left vulnerable because they lack the critical knowledge and language to identify and report abuse.  

This enhances the perpetrators to continue to thrive in silence, secrecy, and confusion. When girls are taught that speaking about their bodies is shameful or taboo, they become easy targets. 

CSE provides students with a foundation of body autonomy and consent. It teaches them the difference between safe and unsafe touch, how to set personal boundaries, and what constitutes coercion or manipulation.  

In the case of Alliance Girls, the alleged abuse was masked under the guise of mentorship and spiritual guidance; something that could have been challenged earlier if the students were empowered with the knowledge and confidence to speak up. 

Many survivors of sexual abuse in school settings do not report because they fear retaliation, stigma, or being blamed.  

CSE helps to dismantle this culture of silence by creating safe, open dialogue between students, teachers, and parents.  

When young people understand that abuse is not their fault, that their voice matters, and that help is available, they are more likely to report violations. 

Additionally, CSE plays a critical role in transforming schools into spaces of trust and respect.  

It encourages schools to adopt and enforce gender-responsive policies and clear reporting mechanisms.  

CSE also teaches young people about bystander intervention and the role of communities in preventing abuse.  

When everyone understands consent, power dynamics, and healthy relationships, they are more likely to challenge inappropriate behaviour, support their peers, and demand institutional accountability. 

The outrage surrounding the Alliance Girls incident must serve as a catalyst for systemic change.  

While legal action and justice for survivors are urgent priorities, prevention must also be at the heart of the solution. Implementing mandatory, quality, and age-appropriate CSE in all schools across Kenya is a necessity. 

We must invest in robust CSE curricula, ensure all teachers are trained in trauma-informed approaches, and create environments where students are encouraged to speak without fear. 

The writer is a Human Rights Defender and a communications specialist