Standing Up For Change in Kenya
Motorcycle drivers, commonly known as ‘boda boda,’ are often perpetrators of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Kilifi County, Kenya. Armstrong Mwangala Mwaveka, also known as ‘Bingo,’ is a boda boda rider in Mtwapa, a town at the southern edge of Kilifi County. Bingo joined the boda boda riding business in 2000, and is a leader in his community. In 2015, together with his colleagues, Bingo registered the Mtwapa Boda Boda Association where he serves as the Organising Secretary.
As a leader of a boda boda association, Bingo has often been blamed for insecurity and violence against women and girls. But he has also been asked to help address violence – both violence perpetrated by association members and violence against association members. He has frequently been confronted with cases of rape, incest and domestic violence.
Bingo’s main challenge had always been his limited knowledge and understanding of issues of VAWG, and how to handle them. Eventually, he decided to look for help and was referred to Pamoja for Transformation.
Pamoja for Transformation, or simply 'Pamoja,' works with communities to raise awareness of the prevalence of VAWG and to jointly devise strategies for prevention and redress. Pamoja’s work is being supported by the Jamii Thabiti program, which is working to reduce violence in Kenya.
Through Pamoja’s community outreach and strengthening activities, Bingo has gained knowledge and skills that enable him to tackle cases of VAWG more competently. He has participated in various community forums organised by Pamoja and has become an active member of community policing activities. The trainings he received from Pamoja have motivated him to work with young people (mostly boda boda drivers) to advocate for safety and security in Mtwapa.
At a recent forum organised by Pamoja, Bingo shared the many incidences of VAWG he had encountered as a youth leader in the area and explained the limited capacity for response and mitigation that had existed at the time. He explained how prior to training on VAWG legislation he had been unable to give advice or provide referrals on matters such as the procedure for reporting VAWG cases. But since his training Bingo is able to guide the survivors of VAWG on what to do, including on the preservation of evidence in the event of rape.
Participating in the training on VAWG “transformed my interaction with my children and wife, re-energised my passion and gave me a platform to grow,” Bingo explained. “After interacting and exchanging contacts with VAWG actors, including police, I am now in touch and by a phone call I can effectively refer VAWG cases for response and make follow ups too.”
“The training on the prevention of VAWG held in August of 2016, in particular, opened my eyes like never before. I acquired skills and knowledge, and now feel better placed as community volunteer in championing and advocating for the prevention of VAWG in the region.”“Pamoja’s activities have also elevated my status in the family and community and expanded my networks. Just from the training alone, I now have fellow community champions on VAWG, including police, teachers, youth, and social workers from Mtwapa, Chonyi, Kaloleni, Bamba, Mariakani and Malindi, which is so crucial for my work as a champion, and as a boda boda leader.”
“Previously, I received between one and three cases of VAWG per day, but with my knowledge, I could not do much. Since I became part of the Pamoja community advocates against VAWG, I know how to respond and what to do, and now, I interact with up to 10 VAWG related cases in a day.”
Bingo continues to engage with boda boda drivers on issues of VAWG. Together they are looking for solutions to VAWG in the community.
Jamii Thabiti is a UK government funded program. It is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech Company.