Cases of Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) in Kericho have risen to alarming levels this year with over 963 cases reported in all the Six Sub-Counties with area leaders championing for an end to the vice that has rendered many especially women hopeless.
Speaking during the preparation for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence in Kericho County, Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei disclosed that the majority of GBV survivors in the County were between the ages of 18 and 49.
The Woman Representative further revealed a total of 325 persons between the age of 10 and 17 went through Gender Based Violence within the county calling for justice for the victims and protection of the teenagers especially the young girls who have suffered the most.
The County MP who hails from Soin-Sigowet Sub-County was disappointed to announce the Sub-County was leading in GBV with a total of 303 cases reported so far, followed by Kericho East Sub-County 279 with cases reported.
Kemei who called for an end to the violation of women’s rights, also revealed that in Bureti Sub-County, 174 cases of GBV cases were reported with Belgut registering 19 cases, Kipkelion West 17 and 39 cases being reported in Kipkelion East this year.
“People with disabilities also face challenges of exploitation, harassment, and Gender Based Violence and it is stressful to announce that 32 cases have been reported this year. We strongly need to protect our People with disabilities,” stressed Kemei.
During the event held at a Kericho Hotel, the Woman Representative also divulged startling statistics on the rising cases of teenage pregnancies within the County noting that over 5,448 cases have been reported this year.
Hundreds of participants at the event, whose theme was “Enough is Enough,” were stunned to learn that a total of 221 cases of early pregnancies involved girls aged 10 to 14, adding that it severely hindered the affected girls’ ability to pursue their education.
“My office recently assisted an 11-year-old girl who gave birth to twins in Ainamoi and in Kipkelion East Londiani, we assisted another one aged 14 who gave birth to a baby boy,” Kemei said.
Kemei who is championing for the rights of victims of Gender Based Violence especially the women through an initiative dubbed “Second Chance” further disclosed that Bureti Sub- County was leading in teenage pregnancies with a total of 1,776 cases reported followed by Kipkelion East with a total of 861, Kipkelion West 825, Soin Sigowet 727, Ainamoi 721, and Belgut 538 cases reported this year.
The event was also graced by the Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, who raised concern that a number of athletes in the country faced GBV challenges but assured that measures were in place to ensure all athletes would be safe from such vices.
The AK President further said two officials from each region would be empowered with safeguarding skills and knowledge as part of a wider war against gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse and harassment, and financial exploitation, among others to guarantee the wellbeing of athletes.
Kericho-based athletes among other participants staged peaceful demonstrations along the streets of Kericho Town calling for an end to GBV, before proceeding to a Kericho Hotel for the sensitization forum.
Other guests included the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) CEO Roy Sasaka and Rachel Kamweru, a Representative of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Sports.
By Kibe Mburu
