The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has issued an apology to the public for misleading statements in the Certificate Biology for Form Three book, which suggested victim blaming in rape cases.

In a statement on Thursday, KICD CEO Prof. Charles Ong’ondo acknowledged the publisher's error, emphasizing that the comments could imply that rape victims might be blamed for the assault based on their mode of dressing and behaviour.

The book, under the sub-topic "Prevention of AIDS," includes the following text: "Modest dress code and behaviour to avoid provoking or tempting other persons into sexual arousal. Many rape cases are due to such provocations. One should also avoid being alone with a person of the opposite sex in secluded areas to prevent losing one's control. Date rapes are even more common than rape by total strangers. Girls should be especially watchful in not having their drinks mixed with drugs or alcohol, which cause them to lose control of their senses."

Prof. Ong’ondo expressed regret over the book's content, which went unnoticed during the initial evaluation. He promised to form a task force to review and correct the errors.

“The Institute acknowledges that the sentences above could be interpreted to suggest that indecent dressing is the main cause of rape and may also insinuate victim blaming in cases of rape,” he stated.

“KICD offers an apology to readers who found the quoted sentences in the book Certificate Biology for Form Three misleading, and we regret not detecting this during the evaluation in 2005.”

The Institute clarified that there was no intention to justify rape under any circumstances, emphasizing that while modest dressing is encouraged among learners and the public, it should not be linked to rape.

To address the issue, Prof. Ong’ondo announced that KICD has formed a panel of experts to review the book's content within two weeks. This panel includes curriculum development officers, quality assurance and standards officers, teachers, and other relevant stakeholders.

“As a way forward, KICD has constituted a panel, as stipulated in the Institute's Materials Evaluation Criteria, comprising curriculum development officers, quality assurance and standards officers, teachers, and other relevant stakeholders, to review the book's content within two weeks,” KICD noted.

The Institute will issue an advisory to the publisher on necessary revisions to avoid any potential misinterpretations by learners. Schools will also be informed after the review on how to guide learners on the relevant topic.