University of Nairobi sorry for blaming rape victims

Standard Digital 29 February 2020

The University of Nairobi in Kenya has issued an apology to its students after a memo blaming the victims of sexual harassment and rape caused a huge uproar. The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Stephen Kiama, termed the memo insensitive, adding that the institution was committed to ensuring the safety of all the students at all times, writes Mercy Asamba for Standard Digital.

“I have noted the memo was insensitive and does not represent the corporate values and the image of the University of Nairobi, and is highly regretted,” his memo dated 25 February read in part.

In a memo, dated 24 February and signed by the University of Nairobi head of security, the university had said that it was “recklessness” that led to the rape of three female students last year. “In all the three incidences reported last year, a clear case of recklessness on the part of female students could be drawn,” the memo stated. It also highlighted a case of a female student who was gang raped, saying: “A female student entertained herself in various joints in the city and decided to walk all alone (drunk) from [the] city centre to the hostels at SWA. Unfortunately, she met her assailants.”
Full report on the Standard Digital site

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