By Eddah Waithaka
Mulika Campaign, a basketball tournament aimed at raising awareness and combating sexual violence, has launched in Nairobi. This campaign comes after a shocking surge in rape and defilement cases.
According to the National Syndemic Disease Control Council recently revealed that in 2023, an alarming 696 adolescent girls were impregnated daily, leading to over 13,000 school dropouts.
Speaking during an interview at the launch, Coach Moses Musosi, the coordinator of Nairobi County and chairman of the Far East Basketball Association (FEBA), said “The statistics are heartbreaking. Gender-based violence, especially femicide, has become rampant, particularly in Eastlands. This tournament uses basketball to share critical information and connect victims with essential services.”
The campaign targets schools in high-risk areas like Kayole and Komarock, where public primary schools have reported numerous cases of rape and defilement, often perpetrated by family members and shrouded in secrecy.
“We are intentional about reaching all five schools in Kayole and Komarock,” Musosi emphasized. “Through basketball, we aim to keep these young people safe and informed.”
The campaign, however, extends beyond these communities. Sixteen women’s teams and 24 men’s teams from across Nairobi will participate, turning players into ambassadors for the cause.
“These young people will carry the message back to their communities,” Musosi explained.
For children not involved in basketball, the initiative encourages parents to allow their kids to engage in sports and arts, which provide safe spaces for mentorship and dialogue.
Digital campaign strategist Esther Njeri, also complemented the league’s efforts.
“Mulika seeks to expose those who fail our girls by ignoring or remaining silent about rape and defilement,” Njeri said. “We use sports to bring youth together, create a sense of community, and demand accountability from leaders.”
Njeri highlighted the normalization of sexual violence in Eastlands, where teenage pregnancies are commonplace.
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“In high-rise settlements, a pregnant teenager is news, but in the ghetto, it is a daily occurrence,” she said. “We are calling on the government to enforce the return-to-school policy for pregnant teens and hold perpetrators accountable.”
The campaign has already garnered support from Resolve and the Nairobi County Government. “The government understands its responsibility and is stepping up efforts to address gender-based violence,” Musosi noted.
The initiative aims to reach 10,000 young people directly and indirectly, with mentors and peer leaders emerging from the teams to champion the cause in their communities.
Beth Muga, the sub-county sports officer, emphasized the role of sports in spreading awareness. “Sports is an effective way to reach the youth,” she said. “We have partnered with Mulika to provide facilities and run this program for four months, targeting schools and out-of-school youth alike.”
Denise Ouma, a sports officer and basketball coach in Makadara, stressed the importance of addressing rape against boys as well. “People often think of girls when they hear ‘rape,’ but boys are also victims,” Ouma said.
“Through basketball, we are creating a space where youth can openly discuss these issues and learn how to seek help.”
The Mulika Hacker League and its associated campaigns represent a united front against sexual violence in Nairobi. By leveraging sports, mentorship, and community engagement, the initiative aims to protect vulnerable youth, demand accountability, and ultimately end the normalization of rape and defilement in Kenya.
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