Kenya: One in Four Kenyan Women Has Experienced Online Abuse, KNBS Survey Reveals

What the report says

A new national survey in Kenya has found that online abuse and other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence affect a significant share of women. According to the Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey (Mini DHS) reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, 26% of women said they had experienced such abuse at some point in their lives, while 21% reported it within the previous 12 months.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics survey points to social media, messaging services and text messages as common channels for harassment. It also says alleged perpetrators can include current or former husbands and partners, as well as strangers and online stalkers. The article notes that women in counties such as Narok, Kajiado and Samburu recorded some of the highest levels of abuse.

The findings are part of broader concerns in Kenya about cyberstalking, digital intimidation and the misuse of technology to threaten or exploit women. The survey also looked at public attitudes toward victim-blaming and how communities respond when a woman or girl may be at risk. In context, the report is likely to inform efforts by national and county authorities to strengthen digital safety awareness, reporting systems and responses to gender-based violence both online and offline.