Liz Jackson Exposes 6 Common Forms of Abuse Women Face in Nairobi CBD

The bustling streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) are often described as the heartbeat of the city. However, for many women, this heartbeat feels more like a threat.

Liz Jackson, a well-known media personality, recently took to her Instagram stories to expose the relentless abuse women face while simply trying to navigate the city centre. Her candid posts have sparked a vital conversation about safety and what she describes as the "ungovernable" behaviour of men in public spaces.

Unprovoked Physical Assault

Jackson shared harrowing personal accounts of being targeted while walking through the streets. In one post, she described the shock of being spanked unprovoked while walking. The assailant's reaction—brazen laughter—highlights a disturbing lack of remorse or fear of consequences.

“I have been spanked in CBD! I was walking innocently and just heard ‘paah’, turning around that man was just laughing,” she said.

This was not an isolated event. Jackson recalled a traumatic incident from her high school years near the Hilton Hotel. A man grabbed her breast and, once again, met her shock with laughter.

These experiences have left a lasting scar, leading her to state that she hates the CBD "with all my heart." She further described perpetrators in the area as "uncouth barbaric and uncultured swines."

The Daily Gauntlet of the CBD

Beyond these physical assaults, Jackson outlined five common forms of abuse that she claims all women in Nairobi have encountered. These interactions turn a simple walk into a gauntlet of harassment:

• Matatu Conductors: Women are frequently grabbed and pulled by conductors who ignore their autonomy. Jackson noted they act as if the women "don’t have eyes to choose" which vehicle to board.
• Aggressive Hawkers: Traders often grab women and use the phrase "mrembo kuangalia ni free" (beautiful, looking is free). If a woman does not make a purchase, they may follow and touch her for several minutes.
• Street Nail Technicians: These individuals are notorious for pulling at women’s hands. Jackson sarcastically remarked that they seem to "understand body language better" than others by ignoring clear signs of disinterest.
• Catcalling and Insults: Women minding their own business are subjected to catcalls. If they choose not to respond, the men quickly turn to insults.
• Objectification: Men often make derogatory comments such as "huyu ni size yangu" (this one is my size), treating women as objects rather than fellow citizens.

A Culture of Fear and Silence

Perhaps the most distressing aspect of Jackson’s report is the reason why many of these incidents go unchallenged. She noted that speaking up often feels like an impossible risk for women.

"As a lady you even fear saying something because you can get be@t up trying to defend yourself."

This fear of physical retaliation creates a culture of silence. It allows perpetrators to continue their behaviour without intervention. Jackson concluded her posts by stating that in the CBD, men have become ungovernable.