Sexual abuse rife for years for Kenyan basketballer
In her 30s, she says she was sexually abused by one of her coaches as she started in the game. Her comments come with African women's basketball under the spotlight following last week's publication of an official report which detailed "institutionalised sexual abuse" dating back decades in the Malian game.
"Everywhere in Kenya, basketball players know these things, but people have been quiet," the Kenyan victim, who we're calling Rachel to protect her identity, "Many girls have been used, but they don't want to say anything."
"There were so many girls I see, even in big teams here, but they are all quiet. I think people have been afraid. In Kenya, people have been used."
Speaking on condition of anonymity, Rachel said the abuse was often linked to pledges to advance the career of young players, many of them teenagers at the time.
Rachel was speaking without knowledge of an ongoing investigation by Human Rights Watch (HRW) into allegations of sexual abuse in Kenyan basketball.
The international campaign group played a key role in helping some of those who suffered from Mali's long-standing abuse, which was laid out in a report commissioned by basketball's governing body Fiba, find their voice. HRW is now turning its attention to Kenya.
"Human Rights Watch is looking into and is concerned about reports of sexual abuse of young female athletes in Kenya's Basketball Federation (KBF)," Minky Worden, HRW's Director of Global Initiatives.
"Officials in national basketball have a duty to protect young players and to ensure their safety. Fiba, the global basketball federation, has a 'zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse in sport.
"It is the responsibility of Fiba and all national sports federations to ensure a safe environment for teen players, to kick abusers out of the sport, and to ensure justice for harassment and gender-based violence."
HRW's statement comes a month after police said no charges would be brought against the KBF's Executive Committee member over allegations that he sexually assaulted a 22-year-old basketballer in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
In July, Philip Onyango - considered one of the country's most successful coaches and who has previously coached Kenya's junior women's teams - voluntarily stepped aside from his various roles while a police investigation into the woman's allegations was carried out.
The following day, the KBF "expelled [Onyango] from all basketball responsibilities and activities" immediately following their preliminary investigation.
Onyango, who also works as a basketball journalist, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Last month, Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviewed the police investigation file and advised insufficient evidence to sustain a criminal charge.
"This case is not closed; it is still open," Kenyan police spokesperson Bruno Shioso told the BBC. "The next step is for police to endeavour to collect more evidence, which must meet the prosecution threshold as per the DPP's recommendation."
When contacted, the 22-year-old expressed her dismay at the police's failure to gather sufficient evidence. "I was so disappointed," she said.
The case was only brought after a friend of the 22-year-old's secretly recorded a conversation as the latter detailed the allegations. The audio file was not only sent to the KBF but also around many in the basketball community.
Rachel says she was inspired to speak out by recent events, which brought memories of her abuse flooding back.
"If it is something that is going to set Kenyan basketball free, why not?" she explained. "I need to save others, and I need to save myself. I am doing something that is taking me through a healing process."
She says she did not make a report at the time as she did not think she would believe while opining that many others have also failed to do so because they fear losing their place in their teams.
The has received testimony from three other women who said they suffered abuse or attempted abuse while in their teens.
"We were so young that you could not explain yourself - nobody would listen to you at that time. They would think you are lying," said one.
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