- Advertisement -

An atmosphere of fear has gripped parts of Kandara Subcounty after residents raised alarming claims of sexual assaults targeting elderly women living alone and intoxicated men returning home at night. Community members are now urging authorities to investigate the allegations and enhance protection for older persons who they say remain highly vulnerable.

Highlights

Residents claim elderly women living alone are being sexually assaulted at night.
Intoxicated men are also alleged to have been targeted while heading home from entertainment spots.
Victims are said to fear reporting incidents due to stigma and trauma.
UHAI Kenya has called for better protection and support systems for older persons.
Community members want police to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.

Main Story

Residents Voice Growing Concerns

Residents of Gitumbo village in Kandara Subcounty have called for urgent intervention over reports of sexual violence allegedly affecting elderly women and intoxicated men within the community.

The concerns emerged during an awareness meeting organized by UHAI Kenya, where locals shared accounts of incidents they say have left many older residents living in fear.

According to those present, widows and elderly women who live alone are particularly exposed, with alleged attackers reportedly breaking into homes under the cover of darkness.

Victims Allegedly Remain Silent

Community members said many suspected victims choose not to report the incidents because of embarrassment, fear and emotional distress.

They argued that the silence surrounding such cases has made it difficult for investigators to establish the extent of the problem or identify those responsible.

Residents also alleged that some elderly men leaving social gatherings after consuming alcohol have similarly become victims of sexual assault while making their way home.

Past Incident Recalled

The community referenced a widely discussed incident from two years ago in Kanyiirini village, where a middle-aged man reportedly informed police that he suspected he had been sexually assaulted after drinking at a private home.

According to residents, the man claimed he became unusually dizzy before later waking up with concerns that he had been abused, leading him to seek police assistance.

Calls for Greater Protection

Residents appealed to security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations and ensure justice for any victims, saying the reported incidents continue to create anxiety among elderly people.

Speaking during the event, UHAI Kenya Chief Executive Officer Edwin Kibe condemned all forms of abuse directed at older persons, stressing that they deserve safety, dignity and respect within society.

He also urged the government to establish dedicated support centres at the sub-county level where elderly victims can confidentially report abuse, receive counselling and access legal services.

The awareness forum attracted more than 400 elderly residents and also featured the distribution of food donations from Capwell Industries, while the Safaricom Foundation supported elderly empowerment groups by providing tents and chairs.

Read Also