When marriage becomes a cage: Inside Kenya's domestic violence crisis
From threats with pangas to financial control, survivors describe the devastating realities of...
Angel, a woman in Bungoma County, Kenya, is trapped in a life of domestic violence. She was married off at the age of 14 to a violent man, and the abuse continued throughout their marriage. She constantly fears for her life and that of her children, as her husband threatens to harm them with his panga. Despite the law protecting her, Angel is unaware of it and struggles to seek help.
She has lost three of her six children to school due to lack of funds, and her husband takes any money she earns. The law allows for compensation in cases of domestic violence, but Angel is unsure how to access it. She fears the police will not protect her and that the perpetrator will kill her. A 2025 review by the US National Institutes of Health identifies factors contributing to domestic violence, highlighting the need for awareness and support for victims like Angel.
Written by urgent.news from Nation Africa's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
