The County Government of Makueni plans to construct six safe houses for Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims in the 2024–2025 financial year.
An Economist working with the County Department of Finance, Socio-economics, and Planning, Jacob Kyungu, said that the safe houses will be constructed in Kilome, Mbooni, Makueni, Kibwezi West, Kibwezi, and Kaiti Sub-counties so that survivors of GBV can be housed there for some time.
“This initiative marks a substantial expansion from one existing safe house to six, aiming to offer comprehensive support and protection to survivors of GBV across the county,” said Kyungu during a gender and disability mainstream sensitization workshop held at a hotel in Wote town.
“This move aims to ensure that GBV survivors no longer have to endure nights in police stations, which may not be conducive environments for them. Instead, the new centres will provide a safer and more supportive environment for those in need,” he added.
The economist urged the victims of GBV to seek assistance from the government so that they can be assisted.
Speaking in the same workshop, Makueni County Director of Gender, Douglas Mukanda, said that cases of GBV were rampant in the county, saying there was need to combat the vice.
Mukanda pointed out that the concerted efforts of key stakeholders like civil society, non-governmental organisations, and other government agencies will contribute to the reduction of cases in the area.
“All stakeholders need to supplement government efforts to combat the GBV cases in the county. It is important to intensify sensitization and education in order to bring about changing behaviours and attitudes of those engaging in the vice,” he said.
The two-day workshop was organised by Transparency International and led by the Project Officer, Public Finance Programme.
During the first day, they looked into issues of budget, while on the second day, they focused on GBV.
By Collins Nguma
