Kenya has recorded the highest number of gender-based violence cases in sports across East Africa, with a new report showing a troubling rise in abuse against women athletes in the country.

A study by the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications reveals that 69 per cent of participants in Kenya reported experiencing or knowing someone who had faced sexual or gender-based violence (SGBV) in sports.

This marks a sharp increase from 43 per cent reported in 2022, highlighting growing concerns over safety and abuse in the sporting world.

The findings are part of a three-year study titled “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Sports: Prevalence, Impact and Interventions in East Africa.” It surveyed 748 individuals across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, covering over 22 sporting disciplines. Participants included athletes, coaches, team officials, and administrators, mostly between the ages of 18 and 34.

“The relatively high prevalence level of 69 per cent in Kenya suggests that SGBV cases have increased significantly since 2022,” the report states, citing earlier data from the Ministry of Sports.

Regionally, 62 per cent of all respondents said they had either experienced or knew someone who had experienced SGBV in sports. Tanzania followed Kenya with a prevalence of 62 per cent, while Uganda reported the lowest at 48 per cent.

Verbal abuse was the most commonly reported form at 43 per cent, followed by emotional abuse and sexual harassment. The report notes that such verbal abuse is rarely addressed formally because it is often considered less serious.

“Verbal forms of abuse, despite their high prevalence, are the least formally addressed form of violence in sports contexts because they are considered less consequential,” it warns.

Kenya also topped the list in cases of sexual harassment, with a prevalence of 19 per cent, compared to 13 per cent in Tanzania and 10 per cent in Uganda. Physical abuse was reported at equal rates of 12 per cent in both Kenya and Tanzania.

In Kenya, 11 per cent of respondents said they had encountered exploitation through abuse of power, such as being pressured into sexual acts in exchange for opportunities, a figure closely mirrored by Uganda at 10 per cent.

The study shows that women athletes are more at risk than their male peers. In Kenya, 89 per cent of respondents said women are at greater risk of abuse, followed by 84 per cent in Uganda and 75 per cent in Tanzania.

“The longer athletes remain in sports, the more likely they are to report SGBV,” the report notes, adding that younger athletes often fail to identify emotional abuse due to limited awareness.

A major factor cited across the region was lack of education and awareness about SGBV, with 40 per cent naming it as a cause. In Kenya, the figure was higher at 49 per cent. Other causes included power imbalances between coaches and athletes (20 per cent), gender stereotypes (15 per cent), and rigid coaching methods (eight per cent).

“Coaching styles were reported to be contributing to the culture of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation,” the report adds, with nearly half of respondents attributing abuse to the behaviour and approach of their coaches.

Perpetrators varied across countries. In Kenya, 34 per cent of respondents named fans and spectators as the main culprits, followed closely by coaches and teammates. In Uganda, fans topped the list at 43 per cent, while in Tanzania, teammates (30 per cent) and coaches (26 per cent) were frequently cited.

The report describes how abuse often begins subtly and worsens over time. “Coaches and technical bench members abuse their authority and trust, sending subliminal messages that escalate over time from verbal discouragement to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse,” it states.

Athletics Kenya president Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei acknowledged the scale of the problem, saying: “This menace is not confined to the pitch; it extends to the athletes’ homes too.”

Fear of consequences remains a major barrier to reporting. Thirty-five per cent of those surveyed said they worried about damaging their careers, while another eight per cent feared their abusers directly. In total, 43 per cent named fear as the main reason for not coming forward.

The report also reveals a worrying culture of silence and normalisation, with 25 per cent of participants declining to say whether they or someone they knew had experienced abuse. “Athletes often choose to remain silent due to fear of judgment, victimisation, and uncertainty over the outcome,” the study states.

Several responses pointed to coaches as central figures in enabling or perpetrating abuse. “Men in charge of sports exploit their positions, especially when opportunities are limited,” one participant said. “Unless athletes give in to their demands, their careers can be destroyed easily.”

Economic struggles and lack of basic gear were also highlighted as risk factors, with over 75 per cent of respondents in Kenya and Uganda saying that the lack of proper equipment puts women athletes in vulnerable positions.

“Most of our athletes lack leadership training and support, especially women. If they’re not empowered, we won’t be able to solve this issue,” another participant added.

The report calls for widespread reforms, including early education, tighter safeguards, and accountability for coaches and sports officials. One participant summed it up: “Coaches must undergo mindset shifts. You’re not just a coach, you’re a parental figure, whether you want to believe it or not.”