Shattered Peace: A Survivor’s Journey for Justice and Healing

For Linda Nguka (not her real name), it was a day that began like any other in Sabatia, Butere Sub County—busy, routine, and full of promise. By nightfall, it became a day that would haunt her forever.

Linda runs a modest clothing shop in Sabatia town. Her rented house doubles as both a business space in the front and a living space in the back.

The shop’s walls are usually adorned with bright fabrics and neatly hung dresses, drawing customers from the bustling market nearby. On this fateful day, Linda had enjoyed a successful day of sales. Satisfied, she closed her shop in the evening and retreated to her living quarters to rest. Her home was simple yet comforting—a space that offered her peace after a hard day’s work.

Exhausted, Linda slipped into bed, letting the fatigue of the day lull her into sleep. But the calm of the night did not last long. Her peace was violently shattered, and her life was turned upside down.

The Attack 

That night, two men broke into Linda’s house through the unsecured back door. The entrance was poorly lit, making it invisible to the rental watchman. Linda remained unaware of their intrusion as they looted her shop before entering her home. 

“I had rented the house just three months earlier,” Linda began. “I was sleeping peacefully when my rest was abruptly disrupted. The men first broke into my shop, stealing all the stock, before entering my bedroom.” 

Her voice trembled as she described the horror. “I woke up to the sound of a bang on my bedroom door. Two men stormed in, their flashlights pointed directly at my face, blinding me. They claimed to be police officers. But when I questioned them, one held a sharp panga to my neck, and the other pointed a knife at my stomach.” 

Linda’s fear was paralysing. “I thought I was going to die. Then they gave a command that shattered me—they told me to undress. I froze, unsure of what to do. When I hesitated, they threatened to kill me. I had no choice but to obey,” she explained, her voice heavy with pain. 

One by one, the attackers raped her. “The first man violated me while holding a panga to my neck. The second did the same, pointing a knife at me. When they were done, they took all my personal clothes, leaving me with nothing but a single garment on the floor.” 

Before leaving, the attackers warned her. “They threatened to kill me if I told anyone. I sat on my bed, stunned, confused, and broken,” she said. 

The attackers didn’t just steal Linda’s belongings—they robbed her of her dignity, leaving her physically and emotionally bruised. 

The Aftermath 

After the attackers left, Linda’s confusion and fear consumed her. She eventually checked her shop. “It was empty. Everything—my stock, including the new bales I had just brought in—was gone. I felt like screaming, but I didn’t have the strength. Then I realized I was still naked and quickly dressed in the only piece of clothing they had left behind,” she recalled. 

The first-person Linda turned to was the watchman guarding the Kenya Power offices across from her shop. “He was shocked when I told him what had happened. He tried to figure out how they got in but confirmed he hadn’t seen them because they used the unlit back door,” Linda said. 

The watchman helped her report the attack to the police. She gave her statement and was then taken to the hospital for medical care. 

 The Medical Response 

At the hospital, Linda was met with compassion and professionalism. Dr. Seliphar Mutambo, an expert in handling sexual violence cases, explained the steps taken to support survivors. 

“Our first priority is to create a safe and confidential environment. We provide trauma counselling, treat injuries, administer post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection, test for sexually transmitted infections, and provide emergency contraception,” said Dr. Mutambo. 

Linda shared her experience. “The doctors gave me PEP for 28 days and referred me to counselling. At first, I couldn’t open up because of the threats from the attackers. I was terrified they would come back and kill me if I talked.” 

Over time, counselling helped Linda begin her journey to healing. “I had developed hatred towards my brother and any man around me. I saw them all as the same. But through counselling, I slowly started to let go of those feelings,” she said. 

Dr. Mutambo noted that such reactions are common. “Survivors often develop mistrust or hatred towards the gender of their perpetrator. We encourage them to speak up and attend regular counselling sessions, though healing is a gradual process,” she explained. 

Sexual violence leaves deep scars, far beyond the physical injuries. Survivors face guilt, fear, and a loss of self-worth. “Our role is to help them reclaim their lives,” Dr. Mutambo added. 

Barriers to Justice 

While Linda focused on healing, the police investigation faced significant challenges. Officer Moses Akivaga, who handles gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Kakamega County, explained the difficulties. 

Moses Akivaga, Gender based violence officer 

“Perpetrators of such crimes often go into hiding or tamper with evidence, leaving us with little to work with. Additionally, communities are often unwilling to cooperate, which makes investigations even harder,” Akivaga said. 

Despite the challenges, police confirmed that Linda’s stolen phone was still active and being tracked. CCTV footage had captured the attackers, but they remained at large. 

Linda expressed her frustration. “The police told me my phone is still in use. The CCTV even captured the men, but they’re still walking free,” she lamented. 

Her case highlights the systemic barriers GBV survivors face when seeking justice, despite constitutional protections guaranteeing access to justice for all under Article 48. 

The Fight Against GBV in Kakamega County

Kakamega County has alarmingly high rates of gender-based violence. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS), 34% of women aged 15-49 in the county have experienced physical violence since age 15. Between January and April 2022, the county recorded 4,436 GBV cases, with Shinyalu Sub County leading at 499 cases. 

Rose Muhanda, GBV Coordinator in Kakamega County’s Department of Health, outlined ongoing efforts to combat GBV. “We’ve developed policies to address GBV, including free services for survivors and measures to ensure perpetrators face justice under the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Act,” Muhanda said. 

Rose Muhanda GBV coordinator Kakamega County 

The county has also trained male champions to advocate against GBV, launched community dialogues to raise awareness, and established safe houses for survivors. However, human rights activists stress the need for adequate funding and full implementation of these programs. 

“Ending GBV requires a collective effort,” said psychologist Dr. Hendricks Ademba. “We need a society where survivors are supported, perpetrators are held accountable, and violence is never an option.” 

Dr. Hendricks Ademba, Psychologist 

Linda’s life in Sabatia is forever changed, with the trauma of that night still haunting her. Yet, she is determined to rebuild her life. She has called on the county government to help her revive her business, hoping for a fresh start. 

Linda’s story highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms, community-driven initiatives, and unwavering support for GBV survivors. With collective efforts from the government, law enforcement, and communities, survivors like Linda can begin to heal and reclaim their lives.