By George Morara
A huge number of sex offenders who are in custody in Kenyan jails are defilers, causing long term concern about the country’s future generation if the vice is not arrested immediately.
Mind boggling statistics coming from the prison department indicate that 10, 650 inmates out of 15, 000 sex offenders who are in custody, are defilers.
Accounting for 71 percent of all the sex offenders, this aligns with more revelations that out of the 15, 000 sex offenders, 90 percent are male. This means that the country’s masculine population is the biggest offender.
Data with the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) shows that Incest, which includes any form of sex between close relatives distantly follows at 8 percent. However, there are fears the numbers could be underestimated as a lot of cases go unreported, or are muffled at the family level for stigma and other related cultural aspects.
“We fear that this is an under representation as many of these cases are taken up at family level,” Elizabeth Njeri, a Juvenile Justice & Corrections Reform Expert at the Prisons headquarters said on Wednesday morning when she made a presentation at the ongoing Correctional Services Week 2025 in Nairobi.
The curtains on the three-day event whose theme is: Efficient service delivery for the common good, falls on Thursday October 23, 2025 with a Gala Dinner to celebrate 10 top officers with an exemplary service record.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2022) shows that 45 percent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence, and that sexual offenses like defilement are rising, particularly after the pandemic. Reports suggest a high prevalence of sexual violence, with some sources stating that a girl or woman is raped every 30 minutes.
According to Njeri, while defilement cases are rising, the Prison department is concerned that the rape vice is also skyrocketing with 6 percent of the 15, 000 sex offenders, being convicted of the offense, and 4 percent sentenced for attempted defilement.
Among those convicted for sexual offenses, 3 percent are jailed for indecent acts, and gang rape respectively, followed by gang defilement and Sexual assault at 2 percent each, while attempted rape and unnatural offences stands at 1 percent.
“Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) has observed a significant rise in the number of sex offenders being convicted and admitted into correctional facilities.
“Current estimates indicate that approximately 15,000 sex offenders are in custody, with the overwhelming majority – nearly 90% – being male,” she said during her opening statement of her presentation: Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP).
In recognition of the demographic reality, the program initially prioritized male offenders, ensuring that interventions directly respond to the most pressing rehabilitation needs.
The sex offender treatment program is a structured scientific evidence-based treatment model that utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Approaches in treating sex offenders.
According to Njeri, the program focuses on 5 key dynamic Risk factors associated with sex offending including, attitudes, thoughts and beliefs that support sexual offending; interpersonal competencies, impulsivity and emotional regulation, aggression, and sexual fantasies.
“This program’s goal is to gain insight into offending behavior, develop motivation to change, understand their behavior patterns and triggers, develop motivation to change, reduce repetition, promote crime prevention and community protection,” she says, noting that above all that, the program is focused on decongesting the correctional facilities.
Latest data shows that Kenya’s prisons are significantly congested, with institutions built for approximately 14,000 inmates currently housing over 50,000 prisoners, a situation being termed as a major challenge, leading to poor living conditions and straining rehabilitation services.
In response, the government and judiciary are launching a nationwide decongestion exercise that includes promoting community service orders and other reforms, and SOTP is one such initiative that in the long run, will see the number of sex offenders reduce.
“We are hoping that when the inmates are released after completing their rehabilitation program, they will go out there and be good ambassadors in the community,” Njeri said.
The SOTP training modules overview include; norm building, which emphasizes the importance of confidentiality, trust, and commitment while helping participants become familiar with each other.
Another module is the treatment responsibility guides, where participants reflect on their offenses, understand the decisions and behaviors that led to offending and take personal responsibility for their actions.
“We also sensitise the sex offenders on the Sex Offenses Act of Kenya 2006, which provides a detailed understanding of the law governing sexual offenses, including consent, trial procedures, evidentiary rules, to enhance legal awareness and promote accountability,” she said.
Victim empathy enhancement, is also is crucial because it is a key component of rehabilitation that is shown to reduce reoffending. A lack of empathy for instance according to the SOTP initiative is associated with higher reconviction rates. “Therefore, treatment programs focused on increasing empathy are consistently linked to a reduction in future offenses,” says Njeri.
This aspect of training provides for participants to develop empathy and emotional awareness through survivor stories, reflection and letter writing role play, helping offenders understand the harm caused and commit to change
Another one is Cognitive Restructuring, where participants learn to replace excuses and justifications with rational alternatives, strengthening accountability and supporting lasting behavior change.
The SOTP program also uses the opportunity to explore with the participants the possibility of drug and substance abuse link to sexual offending, and focuses particularly on drug-facilitated sexual abuse (DFSA).
Other modules include Managing Deviant Sexual Arousal, which examines different forms of paraphilic disorders, their psychological and social consequences, and also highlights evidence based treatment and management strategies.
Sexuality for instance, according to Njeri, looks at distinction between sex, gender and sexuality, and emphasizes on responsible sexual behaviour and challenges harmful myths.
“On relationships and interpersonal skills, the module explores both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships and their types where we have participants learning effective strategies for managing difficulties in relationships and practice assertive communication,” she added.
The Program launch and rollout at Kamiti Maximum Prison on March 25, 2025 was inspired by the transformative vision of the Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP), Patrick Aranduh. He was represented by his deputy, Jane Kirii.
The rollout has been done in Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kibos Maximum and Medium Prison, Naivasha Maximum and Medium Prison, Nakuru Main Prison, Kisumu Maximum and Medium Prison, and Shimo La Tewa Maximum Prison.
Already the SOTP initiative has shown some positive impact among the inmates and officers as transformative voices in ending the vice.
At the Kamiti Maxium Prison where the program was unveiled, Stephen (not his real name for purposes of confidentiality); “For the first time, I understand the harm my actions caused. This program has made me look at myself honestly. I now want to rebuild my life differently.”
“Before this class, I never thought about controlling my emotions. Now I know anger and impulses can be managed. I feel stronger knowing I can change,” an inmate at the Kibos Maxium and Medium Prison says.
And at the Nakuru Main Prison, Peter (not his real name) said; “We are learning how to live better with people, how to respect relationships, and how to build trust again. This is knowledge I never had before.”
At the Nakuru Main Prison, Sgt. Nahashon Mungai, is one of the officers who were involved in the SOTP initiative. “There is improved discipline, emotional stability, and cooperation from inmates in the program,” he said.
On his part, Sgt. Evans Atito at the Kibos Maximum and Medium Prison, a number of inmates are keen to join the program, describing it as having a positive impact already.
“So many other sex offenders have declared interest in joining the program, it is a game changer,” he commented.
At the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, ASP Collins Wasikoyo feels that the program was long overdue, “and we needed it like yesterday.”
However, challenges of funding, physical and expert training, including benchmarking in other correctional facilities is hampering the progress of the program.
KICKER:
“Congestion severely undermines the prison’s ability to fulfill its core function—rehabilitation and the reformation of offenders. Overcrowded prisons are not conducive to humane living conditions, and without such conditions, the dignity of those incarcerated is compromised,” Chief Justice Martha Koome on the nationwide prison decongestion exercise when she made an inaugural visit to Garissa GK Prison on September 3, 2025.
GLANCEBOX:
Causes of congestion
Remand cases: A large number of inmates are awaiting trial.
Unaffordable bond terms: Many cannot afford bail or bond, leading to prolonged periods in custody.
Petty offenses: Some congestion is due to cases involving petty offenses that could be resolved through alternative means.
Impact of congestion
Poor living conditions:
The high numbers lead to overcrowding, which results in poor living conditions, including inadequate sleeping arrangements and potential health issues.
Strain on services:
The excessive population puts a strain on existing resources, including healthcare and rehabilitation programs.
Compromised dignity:
Overcrowding compromises the dignity of inmates and makes rehabilitation more challenging
