KEWOSA Chair Sen. Veronica Maina. Photo Courtesy 
By PBUs
The Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA), led by Chairperson Sen. Veronica Maina, has issued a powerful and emotional statement condemning the violence witnessed during the nationwide protests on June 25, 2025 — with particular outrage over the sexual assault of women and girls.
In its statement, KEWOSA described the chaos as "senseless violence" that led to fatalities, grievous bodily harm, and horrifying acts of rape and molestation against innocent women and girls. The Association expressed profound disgust, especially at reports that some of these atrocities were being celebrated on social media.
“We particularly decry the violence that was meted out on women and girls, including acts of sexual violence which, unfortunately, are being celebrated by the perpetrators and some members of the public online,” the statement read.
Calling sexual violence a grave violation of human rights, KEWOSA emphasized that such acts during public protests are deliberately used to silence, intimidate, and deter women and girls from exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
While firmly affirming their support for peaceful protests as enshrined under Articles 33 and 37 of the Constitution, KEWOSA questioned the gendered brutality:
“Why should demonstrations target the bodies of women and girls? How does the rape of women and girls assist anyone to achieve their objectives?”
KEWOSA called upon all Kenyans of goodwill to speak out, report, and hold perpetrators accountable, describing the assaults as “heinous crimes” that cannot go unpunished. The Association also urged the State Department for Gender and the National Gender and Equality Commission to urgently provide medical and psychological support to survivors.
Further, KEWOSA appealed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to launch immediate investigations, and to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure swift, impartial prosecutions.
In a bold move, KEWOSA demanded that the organizers of the demonstrations take responsibility and publicly state their position on the acts of violence that occurred under their watch.
The Association closed its statement by reaffirming its solidarity with survivors, and by making a passionate call for unity and peace:
“Violence has no place in a democratic society. It hinders progress. Our nation’s strength lies in fostering a peaceful environment where we can all thrive.”
In collaboration with FIDA-Kenya, KEWOSA encouraged all victims of sexual and gender-based violence to seek help by calling the toll-free number 0800 720 501.
