The Board of Directors of Usikimye, in a statement dated December 17, 2025, addressed claims surrounding the organization, indicating that upon receipt of the allegations, it reviewed the matter procedurally and sought appropriate professional advice to determine the most impartial and responsible course of action.
The organization has further advised that the matter was referred to the formal legal system on October 31, 2025, to ensure fairness and independence for all parties involved.
“Accordingly, on 31 October 2025, Usikimye referred the matter to the courts. The case is currently active within the judicial system, and Usikimye is fully cooperating with all legal requirements while awaiting the court’s determination,” read part of the public statement.
Allegations have been streaming in social handles surrounding the organisation’s operational procedures, accusing Usikimye officials of embezzling funds meant to help survivors and victims of gender-based violence (GBV), which the organisation supports.
Usikimye was also publicly accused of mismanagement and misconduct, including allegations that they potentially fabricated some survivor stories to earn sympathy and secure more fundraising, and that individuals were sometimes paid to present these scripted accounts.
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The allegations appear to stem from a supposedly developing feud between the organisation’s co-founders, with claims that the founder, Njeri Migwi, failed to appropriately address concerns related to alleged grooming, potentially shielding a family member.
The situation has further prompted a broader discussion in Kenya about some NGOs that operate more like personal entities, where directors may upgrade their lifestyles while accountability for donated funds is optional.
Defense and Critics
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has publicly defended Njeri Migwi, calling the allegations malicious, politically motivated, and part of a broader attempt to destroy her reputation.
In a Facebook post, dated December 15, 2025, Mwangi said that an evil person was behind the false allegations.
“This person hacked Usikimye’s Instagram account, which had over 100,000 followers, and deleted over 900 posts. The deleted posts included stories of victims, campaigns against gender-based violence (GBV), sexual violence, rape, and femicide, as well as documentation and history related to the fight to make femicide a distinct crime all lost in seconds. Only an evil person could do that,” read part of Mwangi’s post.
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On the other hand, other figures within the human rights space, such as author Deborah Auko, have argued that silence from leadership in the face of serious allegations only worsens public mistrust and that organizations handling public funds and working with vulnerable people must maintain the highest standards of accountability.
Who is Usikimye?
Usikimye is a Kenyan community-based organization (CBO) that is dedicated to the eradication of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya.
The name “Usikimye” is Swahili and means “don’t be silent.”
It was founded in 2019 by Njeri wa Migwi and Stella Khachina, and its work is survivor-centred and trauma-informed.
The organization’s services are designed to support women, girls, and marginalized communities who have experienced violence.
Key services by Usikimye include:
- Safe spaces- Operating safe houses across several towns, including Nairobi, Thika, and Kiambu, that offer temporary refuge, medical care, and psychosocial support for survivors.
- Emergency response- the organization runs a 24/7 hotline that responds to daily calls, facilitating rescues, referrals, and emergency shelter access.
- Advocacy and legal aid – it provides legal and paralegal services, documenting femicide cases through the Femicide Accountability and Community Empowerment (FACE) initiative and advocating for systemic policy changes.
- Community support – helps in curbing hunger through feeding programs for children in slums and offering empowerment initiatives like skills training for survivors to help them rebuild their lives.
Usikimye insists on remaining fully operational, stressing its commitment to transparency and survivor protection, and that it continues to provide essential services to individuals affected by Gender-Based Violence.
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