Friends, it looks like Kenya’s been holding onto the tail of inflation like a mad bull. This past May, inflation leaped to 8%, not long after catching its breath at 7.9% from a peak of 9.2%. Our friends at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) have given the detective’s magnifying glass to food prices. They have found our beloved sugar as the prime suspect.

Brace Yourself: Unga and Sugar Prices are On a Wild Safari

We’re not fortune tellers, but with food prices soaring, it feels like we might need to pack parachutes soon. The choir of farmers and traders have sung it: brace for higher costs of ‘unga’ (maize flour) and sugar. Thanks to our fickle friend, forex, they’ve got their eyes on increased input and fuel costs, not to mention the quicksand of local production and surging import prices.

Sweet Nothings: Sky-high Sugar Prices

We thought sugar was sweet until May 2023 turned it sour, with a 2kg packet kissing the sky at KSh 450. Our CBK conductor, Patrick Njoroge, believes sugar prices, defying the reins of monetary policy, are running wild, stoking the inflation fire.

Inflation Drivers: Snippets from CBK’s Agriculture Survey

Between May 9 and 12, CBK went on a little treasure hunt. They came back with insights that paint a troubling picture of inflating food prices. The magnifying glass points to changes in food wholesale, retail prices, and production costs. Then there’s the duo of food and fuel prices hitting a new crescendo in May 2023, pushing inflation to jump a tiny 0.1% to reach 8%.

Unga Prices: The Mountain that Refuses to Bow

Even with the government pulling the ropes, ‘unga’ prices have decided to be the stubborn mule. A deep dive by kiongos.com shows that our favorite maize flour brands are on an uphill hike, averaging an average of KSh 215 per 2kg packet.

Finance Bill 2023: A Double-edged Sword?

The Finance Bill 2023, set to back President William Ruto’s lofty KSh 3.46 trillion 2023/24 budget, is a hot potato. Critics fear it might pinch our pockets even harder. Yet, the bill is en route for a second screening, with the government waving red flags at any rejection moves. Standing firm in his corner, President Ruto touts the bill as a golden ticket for economic growth and job creation. So, do we grit our teeth and hope for the best?

Sexual harassment is a global menace that transcends cultures, societies, and workplaces. It’s an unwelcome behavior that violates human dignity, often leaving victims feeling violated, distressed, and humiliated. In Kenya, a deeply worrying trend is emerging, and it is high time we shed light on it: the rising cases of male youths confessing to experiencing sexual harassment from fellow men at their workplaces.

The Shift in Sexual Harassment Trends

In recent years, the narrative has begun to change, with an alarming rise in the number of male youths in Kenya experiencing sexual harassment at their workplaces. The perpetrators? Fellow men. This shift is disturbing and necessitates urgent attention.

Challenges in Reporting Harassment

The path to justice for male victims of sexual harassment in Kenya is fraught with obstacles. Unsurprisingly, the principal challenge lies in the victims’ reluctance to come forward and report these incidents. Fear, uncertainty, and societal stigma form a triple-headed monster that these young men must confront. First, there’s the fear of people not believing you. How do you share your story when the world is conditioned to doubt its truth?

Next is the fear of retaliation. Many victims work in environments where the harasser holds a position of power or influence. Reporting them might mean facing adverse consequences such as job loss, demotion, or further harassment. It’s a terrifying predicament – choosing between enduring an ongoing violation of their dignity or risking their livelihood.

And then, there’s the societal stigma. Traditional gender norms often paint men as strong, invulnerable beings. A man admitting to being sexually harassed by another man can be seen as an admission of weakness, leading to mockery and ostracization. This stigma forces many victims into silence, their stories untold, their pain unhealed.

Moreover, the lack of clear reporting procedures in many workplaces exacerbates the problem. When the avenues to seek help are murky or non-existent, victims are left feeling lost and helpless. The absence of a supportive environment further discourages victims from reporting, creating a culture of silence and impunity.

Together, these challenges create a formidable barrier, preventing many male youths from reporting sexual harassment incidents. 

The Role of Corporate Kenya

Regrettably, many Kenyan businesses seem unprepared to deal with male-on-male sexual harassment. The lack of adequate policies, training, and support structures often leaves these young men feeling helpless, their voices unheard, and their pain unacknowledged.

Steps to Address Sexual Harassment in Kenya’s Workplace

1. Implement Clear Anti-Harassment Policies: Employers should have clear, written policies against sexual harassment. These policies should define what constitutes harassment, emphasize zero tolerance for such behavior, and outline the consequences for offenders.

2. Establish Reporting Mechanisms: There should be safe, confidential channels for reporting harassment. This might involve setting up a dedicated helpline, an online reporting system, or a designated officer who handles such complaints.

3. Educate Employees: Regular training and awareness programs should be conducted to educate employees about sexual harassment, their rights, and how to respond if they experience or witness such behavior. It’s crucial to include information specifically addressing male sexual harassment in these programs.

4. Foster an Inclusive Culture: Promote a workplace culture that values respect, diversity, and equality. A positive and inclusive work environment can deter potential harassers and make employees feel safer.

5. Regularly Review and Update Policies: Policies and procedures should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they remain effective and relevant. This may involve seeking feedback from employees and making necessary adjustments based on changing laws or societal norms.

6. Training: Regular training sessions should be held to educate all employees about the policy, the definition of sexual harassment, and the consequences for violating the policy. Training should also address bystander intervention techniques and ways to support colleagues who may be victims.

7. Reporting Mechanism: Establish a confidential and safe reporting mechanism. Encourage employees to use it without fear of retaliation. The reporting system should be easily accessible and should assure anonymity and confidentiality, if desired by the victim.

Conclusion

The disturbing trend of male youths in Kenya confessing to sexual harassment from fellow men in the workplace is a stark reminder of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment. The silence surrounding this issue must be shattered. It’s time for society to acknowledge this problem, and for workplaces to foster environments that are safe for all employees, regardless of their gender. Only then can we hope to see an end to this deeply unsettling trend. You can also report  your experience Here.

FAQs

What is male-on-male sexual harassment?

1. Male-on-male sexual harassment refers to situations where men are sexually harassed by other men, typically in the workplace.

Why is this issue not widely reported?

2. The underreporting of male-on-male sexual harassment is largely due to societal stereotypes that perceive men as unlikely victims, and the fear of stigma, disbelief, or retaliation.

What can be done to support victims of male-on-male sexual harassment?

3. Providing education, implementing comprehensive workplace policies, and changing societal attitudes can go a long way in supporting victims.

What role can workplaces play in addressing this issue?

4. Workplaces should implement strict sexual harassment policies, provide training to all employees, and ensure a supportive environment for victims to report incidents.

How can societal attitudes towards male-on-male sexual harassment be changed?

5. Through education and awareness, society can learn to understand and acknowledge that men can also be victims of sexual harassment.