Justice denied: Kilifi's Kijipwa police under fire for shielding abusers and frustrating GBV survivors
Nancy Sakwa, 24, a GBV survivor from Mjimkubwa village in Vipingo, Kilifi South, on July 10, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Harrowing stories reveal how survivors of gender violence in Kilifi face abuse, neglect, and corruption.
- Police inaction at Kijipwa fuels impunity, leaving mothers, children, and families vulnerable to gender-based violence.
Three years ago, Nancy Sakwa married, hoping to end her homelessness and loneliness. She longed for a peaceful and lasting union in a happy family with her in-laws, who had become her new relatives in Mjimkubwa village, Vipingo, Kilifi South. However, her dreams were shattered by her abusive husband, who made her life unbearable.
Nancy, 24, was orphaned at birth after her mother died and a well-wisher raised her. In an interview with the Nation, she expresses her pain, frustrations, and loss of hope due to the abuse. She says her husband repeatedly threatened to kill her, but her attempts to seek justice from the police has failed.
Her ordeal began after childbirth. Their baby developed health complications and required medication. “He was always furious whenever I asked him for money to buy the prescribed medicine. He told me to stop bothering him with the child, and that it would be God’s will if the baby died,” she recalls.
Nancy explains that her boda boda husband of three years, aged 37, often beat her whenever she asked for food. On one occasion, neighbours rescued her after he kicked and punched her repeatedly, pushing her so hard that she fell on the baby strapped to her back. The child sustained injuries and developed a disability after dislocating his back and waist.
From March last year, Nancy began reporting the assaults at Kijipwa Police Station, but no legal action was taken. “Each time I went there, the officers told me to return home and talk to my husband,” she says.
In December last year, she recorded the matter under OB 43/31/12/2024, but nothing was done. Her husband’s assaults continued until he was finally arrested on January 14, 2025, after another report. According to the charge sheet, Omar Muramba was accused of intentionally and unlawfully assaulting Nancy by slapping her and causing bodily harm.
He also faced an alternative charge of threatening to kill. On January 15, 2025, he was arraigned before Kilifi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike and pleaded not guilty. The magistrate released him on Sh40,000 bail.
Three months later, before the scheduled hearing on July 14, 2025, Nancy was forced to withdraw the case in the interest of her sickly child. On the morning of the hearing, the arresting officer summoned her to court. Lacking transport money, she struggled to reach the Kilifi Law Court by 2pm, only to find her husband accompanied by a stranger.
“The man told me that since my husband was out on bail and my child was ill, I should withdraw the case so the money could be used for treatment. He warned that if I refused, my child would continue to suffer and die. He asked me to tell the court that I had forgiven my husband,” Nancy recounts.
On April 10, 2025, she withdrew the case before Kilifi Chief Magistrate Charles Obulusta.
On June 13, 2024, Nancy took her child to Vipingo Health Centre, where it was discovered that he was malnourished and required a special diet. When she informed her husband, he responded with a brutal beating. “He stepped on me as I lay on the ground until I bled. He injured my ears and eyes,” she says tearfully.
She reported the assault under OB/33/13/6/2025 at Kijipwa Police Station and was issued with a P3 form. “The doctor completed the form, but when I returned it, the police confiscated my medical report, OB note and P3 form. They told me to go home because I was a nuisance.”
On June 17, 2025 at 4.50pm, she reported again but returned home disheartened. That evening, her husband assaulted her again. “I escaped and hid in the thicket for three days. On the third day, my baby fell ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia. While he was in ICU, I received a letter from the Vipingo assistant chief ordering me to vacate my matrimonial home,” she says.
Overwhelmed, Nancy begged doctors to discharge the baby so that she could return home and address the matter, but they refused, urging her to focus on her child’s critical condition.
After two weeks, the baby was discharged. Two days later, she was summoned by the assistant chief, where she found her husband, his brothers, and her mother-in-law. “They told me to pack my belongings and leave. I explained that I had nowhere to go with my recovering baby, but they said it was not their concern,” she says.
Nancy fears for her life, saying her husband is shielded by Kijipwa police. “He told me he would kill me anytime, reminding me that the police had chased me away when I reported him. As I walked home heartbroken, he mocked me, saying it was just the beginning and I should expect more.”
She recalls that at first, four officers listened to her and promised action, but they later turned against her. “They suddenly ganged up and made it appear as if I was the problem.”
Determined to find justice, Nancy returned to the station and sought help from a female officer, only to be told to go back home. Another officer scolded her, asking why she was disturbing them. “The following day, both male and female officers chased me away. My husband was at the station,” she adds.
Feeling helpless, Nancy says she sometimes wishes for death. “I walk around telling my neighbours to take care of my child in case I die.”
On August 16, 2025, Nancy reported again after being assaulted the previous night under OB/11/16/06/2025. She was referred for treatment but denied the P3 form when she returned on August 23. “The police told me to go home with my husband since he had promised not to beat me again,” she says.
The Nation has established that many survivors of gender-based violence face frustration when seeking justice at Kijipwa Police Station. Mothers are left hopeless as perpetrators walk free.
Rose Nyamvula’s Struggle
Rose Nyamvula is another frustrated mother who sought police assistance after a man locked her 15-year-old daughter in his house for four days. The girl, a Grade Eight pupil, went missing in March after failing to return home from school.
Rose reported the matter at Kijipwa Police Station under OB/34/12/3/2025 at 1.15pm. Instead of acting, officers asked her to search for the girl herself and then inform them. She eventually traced her daughter and presented her at the police station, as instructed. “I went back with my daughter, and the police promised to pursue the perpetrator,” she says.
Her suspicion grew when the officers blocked her from accompanying her daughter for a medical examination. “The case is pending at Kijipwa Police Station, and all I have is the OB number to follow up with,” she says.
Rose appealed for the man’s arrest and prosecution. She fears that without justice, the perpetrator could lure her daughter into dropping out of school and eloping with him. “Every time I follow up, the police dismiss me and tell me to stop bothering them since my daughter is in school,” she laments.
At times, Rose blames her poverty for the police inaction. “Maybe they refuse to arrest him because I am poor,” she says bitterly.
Saro Wanje’s Plea
From Vipingo, 65-year-old Saro Wanje has also endured two years of unfulfilled promises. He has been seeking justice for his 16-year-old daughter, who was defiled and impregnated. After discovering her pregnancy, he reported the matter under OB/24/26/1/2024, but to date, no action has been taken. His daughter gave birth in August last year.
Distressed, Saro says the perpetrator, who still roams freely in the village, continues to secretly pursue his daughter. “I want the government to arrest this man because my daughter must continue with her education,” he says.
Despite repeatedly informing the police of the perpetrator’s whereabouts, no arrest has been made. “I fear that if I call the public to act, they might lynch him,” Saro admits.
Isaack Amani’s fight for justice
Vipingo Child Protection Volunteer Isaack Amani describes Kijipwa Police Station as a stumbling block to justice for GBV survivors. “As much as we report cases, they are never pursued. The police deny victims justice, and it is disheartening,” he says.
Isaack reveals that officers often tell them to arrest perpetrators themselves. “It is risky because we are not armed, and we never know if the suspect is carrying a weapon.”
He adds that when perpetrators are handed over, they are detained for only two or three days before release. “We endanger our lives for nothing. Sometimes, perpetrators are freed after paying Sh15,000 or Sh20,000, and they disappear,” Isaack says, describing the station as a cash cow.
He recalls a period when officers demanded Sh500 to book minor cases and between Sh10,000 and Sh20,000 for defilement cases. Though public outcry reduced the practice, corruption persists. “Today, some complainants must still pay to have their cases booked. Without payment, their cases go nowhere.”
Isaack explains that his commitment to this work arose from the alarming rates of child defilement in Vipingo. “We record at least three defilement cases every week, but the chances of any reaching court are slim.”
Despite the risks, Isaack vows to continue. “I made a promise to fight for justice for our children and I will not turn back.”
Stanslas Gambo’s observations
Former Mjimkubwa village elder Stanslas Gambo, 51, says Kijipwa police have long denied justice to GBV survivors. Having served as a village elder for over five years, he has witnessed countless frustrated survivors. “The situation worsens every day as officers focus on bribes. Most cases never progress beyond the police station,” Stanslas says.
Police response
Kilifi South Sub-County Police Commander Hassan Konchale says he has not received official complaints about Kijipwa Police Station. “Gender-based violence cases are a priority, and it is worrying if that is what is happening. I promise to follow up,” he says.
Notably, in September 2018, a Kijipwa police constable defiled a 14-year-old girl held at the station awaiting presentation in court as a child in need of protection.
