How Kenya can move beyond the grey areas on sexual abuse
By Faith Mwende, July 29, 2025Recent weeks have brought disturbing revelations of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) across Kenya and globally.
From allegations against an Alliance Girls High School teacher to the controversial resignations of CEO Andy Byron and HR Chief Kristin Cabot at New York-based Astronomer after their “kiss cam” incident, these cases share a troubling pattern: the misuse of privileged positions for sexual purposes.
The unfortunate truth? We remain a society trapped in “grey areas”, where misconduct is normalised, survivors are silenced, and perpetrators walk free.
Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) is not just bureaucratic jargon; it is a framework protecting dignity, safety, and well-being in workplaces and service delivery environments.
PSEAH ensures that schools, health facilities, government institutions, and development programmes remain safe from SEAH risks through continuous assessment and prevention measures.
While countries worldwide institutionalise PSEAH frameworks, Kenya lags behind.
Despite growing conversations, we lack comprehensive, enforceable policies with clear reporting mechanisms and accountability structures.
This gap perpetuates harmful behaviour while leaving survivors without support.
The Alliance Girls scandal and Byron-Cabot incident have reignited public debate, but reactions remain telling: “They’re both adults – what’s the issue?”; “You know how school girls can tempt men”; “At least it wasn’t rape…”
These comments reflect the dangerous normalisation of SEAH. Consider this: if Byron and Cabot worked for a Kenyan institution, would they have resigned?
Would investigations follow, or would the “Mtu wetu syndrome” prevail?
Most Kenyan institutions, public and private, lack structured, enforceable PSEAH frameworks.
Where policies exist, implementation and awareness remain poor. Survivors face stigma, retaliation, and disbelief while remaining unaware of available support systems.
This systemic gap demands urgent attention.
Progress is possible. The Global Fund is supporting the Ministry of Health to develop comprehensive PSEAH policies.
But transformation requires sector-wide commitment.
Essential actions include institutionalising PSEAH frameworks across all government ministries and the private sector, training employees, communities, and service beneficiaries on prevention, detection, and reporting, creating survivor-centred reporting systems ensuring confidentiality and swift response, and shifting from cultures that excuse misconduct toward dignity, respect, and accountability.
We cannot wait for the next scandal. It’s time to move from reaction to prevention, from outrage to action.
Government leaders must establish mandatory, binding PSEAH frameworks across all sectors.
Employers and educators must create safe, responsive environments. All Kenyans must challenge harmful narratives and understand their prevention role.
We once considered sexual abuse “normal”, shaming survivors while maintaining silence.
That era is behind us.
We now choose: remain in “grey areas” or move toward a future where safety, dignity, and accountability are non-negotiable?
Together, we can create a SEAH-free Kenya. This starts with you and me!
The writer is a Social Scientist