A game-changer in the fight against gender-based violence as KUTRRH opens a new support centre

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) will now have access to specialised and confidential care following the launch of a new recovery centre at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).

The facility, known as the Tumaini Clinic, was officially unveiled on Friday March 6, 2026. It is designed to provide comprehensive medical, psychological and legal support services to survivors, particularly women, while strengthening the hospital’s response to gender-based violence within the community.

Speaking during the launch, KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Zeinab Gura described the clinic as a significant step in addressing what she termed a serious public health and human rights concern. In a speech read on her behalf by Dr. Caroline Ngugi, the hospital’s Director of Training and Research, Dr. Gura noted that many victims continue to suffer in silence due to stigma and fear.

“Data shows that nearly 40 percent of couples have experienced some form of gender-based violence from their partners. The Tumaini Clinic will provide post-exposure prophylaxis, emergency medical treatment, psychosocial support, legal linkages and follow-up care to ensure survivors begin the journey toward healing and recovery,” she said.

Dr. Gura further stated that the hospital will invest in specialised training for staff to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed and compassionate care.

Hospital management emphasised that beyond physical injuries, survivors often endure deep psychological trauma, including loss of trust and feelings of insecurity. The clinic will therefore offer long-term mental health support to address these lasting effects.

Purity Kibathi, a senior nurse and representative of the clinic’s management, said the new centre will provide a safe and supportive environment for survivors seeking help.

“Gender-based violence remains a common health and human rights issue in society. Survivors often suffer in silence because of stigma, but this clinic will provide a safe space where they can access support and begin rebuilding their lives,” she said.

Security officials who attended the launch called on members of the public to report cases of abuse and stop shielding perpetrators.

Yusuf Yaya, a senior police officer and Gender-Based Violence Coordinator at Kahawa West Police Station, identified poverty and social pressures as some of the key drivers of violence.

“Many cases still go unreported because victims fear stigma or retaliation. People should report all cases and avoid protecting perpetrators so that justice can be served and victims protected. Let us support the victims rather than victimise them. There is need to strengthen cooperation between the police and the community,” he said.

Salome Ndolo, a social health worker at Kenyatta National Hospital, underscored the urgency of such interventions, citing surveys indicating that at least one in three women experiences physical violence in her lifetime.

The establishment of the Tumaini Clinic marks a major milestone in expanding survivor-centered services, offering hope, protection and a pathway to recovery for those affected by gender-based violence.