Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding has cautioned chiefs against overlooking cases of gender-based violence in their jurisdictions, saying those found culpable will be reprimanded.
Omoding said that poor reporting of the cases was delaying provision of justice to the victims, exposing them to unnecessary suffering.
He said chiefs and their assistants must keep a record of daily happenings in their areas and assist GBV victims report their cases so that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“The government is keen on enhancing the reporting of cases as we seek to ensure the vices are eradicated and the criminals are punished by the law,” he said, while asking nyumba kumi members to work closely with the chiefs.
The administrator said that cases of early marriages and female genital mutilation were on the rise in the region due to retrogressive cultural practices.
Omoding was speaking during a meeting with the National Gender and Equality Commission vice chairperson Dr. Chomba wa Munyi at his office in Isiolo town where he said that the government will support gender activists in awareness creation to assist in the fight against GBV.
Munyi said the Commission was committed to educating Kenyans on the importance of freedom and forms of discrimination to ensure compliance to policies and law.
Isiolo County Education Executive Mrs. Eileen Kajuju decried the outdated cultural practices that expose women and girls to mistreatment and inequalities and called for a reverse of the trend.
“Education for our young girls should be taken seriously akin to that of boys so that we have a fair and just society while also addressing the high illiteracy level in the region” she said.
Kajuju called upon stakeholders and gender crusaders to offer sensitization programs all over the county especially in remote areas to help the local communities shun the cases of early marriages and gender violence.
By Kelvin Munene and Winnie Wambui
