Boda Boda Riders Open Up About Being Raped

A recent story in the Taifa Leo newspaper has shocked many Kenyans, as it revealed that several boda boda riders have been victims of rape.

According to the article, the riders are typically trapped when they help their female customers carry their luggage or goods into their homes. In one case, a rider from Kawangware who had dealt with the client for 7 months prior explained how he had been coerced to have physical relations with the woman or she would scream.

In another case, a rider from Kangemi who is also a father of four narrated how he had been raped four times!

The riders who were interviewed in the story did not report the crimes for a variety of reasons, including fear of being ostracized by their families and communities, fear of retaliation from the perpetrators, and lack of faith in the justice system.

The story has sparked a debate about the safety of boda boda riders and the need to address the issue of sexual violence against men.

Why don’t the boda boda riders report the crimes?

There are a number of reasons why the boda boda riders in the story did not report the crimes they were victims of. Some of these reasons include:

• Fear of being ostracized by their families and communities. Sexual violence against men is often taboo in many cultures, and victims may be afraid of being judged or shunned by their loved ones if they come forward.
• Fear of retaliation from the perpetrators. Sexual violence is a crime of power and control, and perpetrators often threaten their victims with violence or other forms of retaliation if they come forward.
• Lack of faith in the justice system. In many countries, the justice system is biased against men and victims of sexual violence, and victims may not believe that they will get justice if they report the crime.

What can be done to protect boda boda riders from sexual violence?

There are a number of things that can be done to protect boda boda riders from sexual violence, including:

• Raising awareness of the issue. It is important to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence against men, so that victims feel more comfortable coming forward and perpetrators are held accountable.
• Providing support to victims. Victims of sexual violence need access to support services, such as counseling and legal assistance, to help them cope with the trauma and seek justice.
• Reforming the justice system. The justice system needs to be reformed to ensure that victims of sexual violence, regardless of their gender, are treated fairly and perpetrators are held accountable.