The Kakamega county government is preparing a bill to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The County Health Services Executive, Rachael Okumu said once enacted, the bill would take care of sexual and gender-related offences that are rampant in the county.
She said this during the launch of 16 days of activism against GBV at Solyo grounds in Shinyalu Sub County.
The Sango ward Member of County Assembly (MCA), Kennedy Kilwake, who represented the health committee chairman, said three women and a 13-year-old girl were raped and murdered in his area last month.
He called for concerted efforts in the campaign to bring to an end all forms of violence in the society.
“I am appealing to parents, teachers, the clergy and the society at large to sensitize young people that gender violence is a crime,” he observed.
The County Director for Gender Affairs, Aggrey Wafula said 20 incidents of violence were reported in Shinyalu Sub County alone last month.
He called on families to uphold peace and embrace love amongst themselves despite the numerous challenges they are facing.
The Deputy County Police Commander (DCPC), James Ng’etich asked residents to ensure all cases of violence are reported.
He discouraged the people from resolving rape, defilement and domestic violence cases at home but instead follow the due process of the law.
The DCPC said they have banned funeral night dances as they not only lead to rape and defilement but also contribute to insecurity.
A recent report by the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) showed that at least 50 teenage girls are defiled and impregnated every day in the county and about 20, 000 are affected annually.
It cited poor parenting, poverty and corruption as contributory factors to the menace.
By Sammy Mwibanda
