Why Kenyan celebrities facing gender-based violence fear speaking up
By Valerian Khakayi, November 21, 2025For the better part of the week, gender-based violence (GBV) has dominated public discussions in the country. The issue affects people across all walks of life, including the glamorous world of celebrities.
Yet, despite their public status, many stars who are victims remain silent about the abuse they face due to fear, stigma, and societal pressure, which are major reasons why victims in the entertainment industry hesitate to speak out.
Also watch: Geoffrey Mosiria urges GBV victims to leave their relationships and marriages
Here are other reasons why victims choose to struggle silently.
- Risk to their public image
Public figures are constantly in the spotlight. Many worry that sharing their experiences will change how the public perceives them, from strong and glamorous to vulnerable, while some fear their personal struggles may overshadow their talent and achievements.
- Fear of cyberbullies
Celebrities are often targets of cyberbullies and online trolls.
The attacks and harsh comments have made them not speak about GBV, because it may expose them to victim-blaming, trolling, and insensitive jokes online, making many choose silence over public humiliation.
- Stigma
GBV survivors still face judgment, especially in the public eye. Many fear being blamed, doubted, or asked why they stayed in abusive situations. This stigma discourages them from opening up.
- Abuser’s Influence
In some cases, the abuser may be powerful or well-connected in the entertainment industry. Victims fear backlash, sabotage, or being blacklisted if they expose the truth.
- Fear of damaging their careers
Many celebrities rely on their image to secure work. Some fear that opening up about being victims may result in being labelled problematic, making producers and brands hesitant to work with them.
Also watch: Majority of GBV cases happen at home, says taskforce
Many celebrities publicly condemn gender-based violence, yet remain silent when they become victims themselves.
Purple Week campaign
Notably, over the past few days, you might have noticed a wave of purple colour taking over your social media feeds; this runs from captions to profile pictures, where the timeline has now become a virtual lavender garden.
South Africans and people across Africa are now turning their profiles purple in a strong demonstration of digital solidarity ahead of the G20 Women’s Shutdown, scheduled for November 21, 2025.
What was initially a local campaign has rapidly become a continental statement, a cry for attention, a call for justice, and a reminder that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is no longer a statistic but a national crisis.
The purple avatars are designed to bring the shutdown into the digital realm and amplify calls for urgent action to put an end to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).