Athletes and coaches have called on various stakeholders to provide a safe space to speak in the Gender Based Violence that is rampant in Kenya, especially Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) in collaboration with Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) said that journalists and the media should provide good space for the athletes to speak out by expressing what they go through in the hands of GBC perpetrators.
For years, many athletes Everline Ruto remained silent about the challenges she faced in her marriage, even as she continued competing as an athlete and winning prize money, facing financial exploitation and GBV that robbed her of the opportunity to benefit from her running career and left her struggling to provide for her children.
Ruto remembers receiving her first prize cheque but having no idea how to manage the money.
“My husband took me to the bank and withdrew the money. He gave me KSh1,000,” she recalls.
She went on to compete in numerous races and win prize money, but says she never had enough money to support herself because her earnings were handed over to her husband.
The situation became worse in 2016 when her husband left her for another woman.
“I suffered a lot. I kept quiet and suffered more than anything,” she says.
Her turning point came in 2021 when she joined Straight for Africa, where she received counselling and support.
“I was counselled and gained energy. I went back to training. I was empowered and regained my morals,” she says.
The renewed confidence has started producing results.
This year, Ruto finished 28th at the Eldoret City Marathon before going on to claim third place at the Mbeya Marathon, where the prize money, though modest, enabled her to take her children back to school.
She later finished sixth in Arusha and ninth in the Dodoma Marathon in July.
For the 42-year-old athlete, the earnings have provided something she had almost lost — hope.
“I got a few shillings and took my children to school. That has given me hope. Though I am ageing and I have gone through a lot, I still have hope,” she says.
Ruto now wants fellow athletes, particularly women, to speak out whenever they experience GBV.
“I want to tell athletes that they should speak out on GBV. I kept quiet and I suffered more than anything. Right now, we have people who can help.”
Coaches urged to protect athletes
Athletics coach Richard Kanda says GBV has affected athletes in Elgeyo Marakwet for years, but many cases remained hidden because athletes and coaches did not fully understand the problem.
“As coaches, we need to protect our athletes from different backgrounds. For girls, they are mistreated by men,” Kanda says.
He notes that some athletes have suffered serious abuse, with others losing their lives at the hands of people known to them.
“We decided as coaches to work and eradicate the vice. Now athletes are happy with the steps we have made,” he says.
Kanda says athletics camps and individual training environments must be made safe for athletes.
He also points to the formation of an athletics circle and savings initiative aimed at helping athletes manage their finances and become more economically independent.
“I wish we started this SACCO long ago when I was an athlete. This has really helped us,” he says.
Kanda believes protecting athletes is particularly important in Iten, a small town that has become globally recognised as a training destination for elite distance runners.
“If they train here in Iten, we shall do well. We want the town to be safe for all,” he says.
Journalists challenged to report beyond competition
MCK Joseph Mecha says journalists have an important role to play in addressing GBV and other challenges affecting athletes.
“We had a successful discussion on GBV with athletes and journalists to bring sanity in athletics,” Mecha says.
He says sports journalism should go beyond reporting race results and competitions to examining the issues affecting athletes and their families.
“We should not just report on events but look for better ways to support the athletes,” he says.
Mecha adds that the Media Council of Kenya wants to partner with different forums and stakeholders to create stronger support systems for athletes.
“We shall invest and have good reports to support the family of athletics ahead of the World Athletics Championships in 2029,” he says.
He also urged journalists to gather sufficient information before publishing stories, arguing that responsible reporting can help athletes speak out and confront GBV.
CEDGG calls for accountability
Paul Masese, the CEDGG CEO says GBV in athletics goes beyond physical and emotional abuse, with financial exploitation also affecting many athletes.
“We are urging all stakeholders to end GBV in athletics. For many years, athletes have gone through GBV, especially through financial exploitation,” Masese says.
He says accountability is needed from both government institutions and individuals responsible for safeguarding athletes.
“Many athletes have gone through a lot and many have kept quiet, but they are now talking,” he says.
Masese says CEDGG has held discussions with both county and national government representatives as part of efforts to address GBV in athletics.
The organisation is also working with six athletics camps in the region and is seeking to empower female athletes to take a leading role in fighting GBV.
“We are empowering female athletes to be in the frontline to end GBV in athletics,” he says.
For Ruto, speaking publicly about her experience is part of that change.
After years of silence, she is now using her story to encourage other athletes to seek help, understand their rights and speak out when they experience abuse or financial exploitation.
Her recent races may not yet have brought major prize money, but for the mother of two, every finish represents more than a result on a race sheet — it is another step towards rebuilding her life.