Nanyuki Police Station has launched the construction of a Sh9 million Gender Based Violence Desk under Policare Service.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony in Nanyuki town, Kiganjo Police Training Campus Commandant Japheth Koome revealed the facility would be a one-stop shop for GBV victims.
“The facility will have forensic investigators, Ministry of Health, psychosocial support team to attend to these victims and a special magistrate to listen to such cases and deliver justice faster without the victims being taken to the court,” the Commandant said, further issuing a warning to GBV perpetrators to the effect that the government would not spare them.
British Army Training Unit (BATUK) Maj. Sophie Piper joined hands with the National Police Service in bid to solve Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases in the county.
“This facility will go a long way into solving the frequent cases of these incidents in Laikipia. It will be a life changing project,” she said.
Policare Board Chairman Daniel Wathome noted the centre would be used by Gender Based Violence victims from Laikipia and neighbouring counties of Samburu, Isiolo and Meru. He equated the facility to a Huduma centre where government services were all offered under one roof.
Jackie Mbogo from Re-invent Programme who are also partners in the construction said that the facility would go a long way in protecting the Gender-Based Violence Victims and ensure they get justice on time.
“Policare will give Gender Based Violence (GBV) Victims’ dignity. Police and the community will work together to help GBV victims,” Ms Mbogo said.
According to United Nations-Women, domestic violence had dramatically escalated due to Covid-19 scourge since many countries went into lockdown. Access to services and justice for the victims were severely curtailed due to cessation of movement.
The facility is expected to be complete in two months’ time, becoming the second in the country after the Makueni Policare Unit.
The National Police Service is expected to expand the Policare centres across the country to address GBV cases.
This came as government is committed to address the Gender Based Violence by next year and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) before year 2030.
By Muturi Mwangi
