Residents of Mbita in Homa Bay County have been urged to step up the fight against defilement and teenage pregnancies.
Suba North Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Peter Mutiso said the triple threat of teenage pregnancies, HIV and gender-based violence was a major challenge amongst the fisher folk in Lake Victoria.
He directed the local Chiefs and the nyumba kumi committees to ensure all perpetrators of defilements and gender-based violence were brought to book.
Mutiso warned that no out of court settlements for defilement cases should be entertained stressing that the perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
The DCC at the same time said that the government had beefed up surveillance in Lake Victoria to curb the infiltration of contraband goods from the neighbouring countries.
“We have beefed up surveillance in the lake to deal with the menace of illicit liquor and contraband. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities along the beaches,” he said.
He at the same time urged those using lake transport including the fishermen to use life jackets to ensure safety in the lake.
Mutiso made the remarks in his office Monday when he hosted an interdenominational prayer meeting conducted by the local clerics.
He said that the government had stepped up counseling services for public servants in the Sub County to boost productivity.
Mutiso noted that the death of his predecessor had left the workers in grief and they were in need of counseling services.
By Davis Langat
