The government has sounded an alarm on the surge in Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) reported cases in Nyanza and Western regions and other parts of the country.
Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba noted that the matter is rampant and should be addressed immediately.
“SGBV is very prevalent. It is widespread across the country,” said the CS specifically, he noted that Kisumu county has surpassed the national percentage at 32 against 36.
He condemned what happened to the 13-year-old girl in Suba North, Homabay county, saying the brutal act should be severely punished.
“The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has already sent a specialised team to support the county security team and ensure we get to the bottom of the act that happened yesterday ( September 17th), ” said the CS.
He regretted to note that the Homabay incident is not isolated, because other cases go unreported in other parts of the country.
“It is happening all over. This matter is prevalent because of the repugnant practices, disco matanga, including women inheritance and issues related to broken family ties,” stated Mr Murkomen.
He also noted that the perpetrators are the same people entrusted to ensure the children are safe.
He called on various stakeholders to join hands and fight the vice and sensitize the public to apprehend the criminals and bring brought to justice.
He noted that there are no rescue centres and urged the county government to cooperate on the same.
Also, the CS directed the crackdown on emerging criminal gangs and goons in western Kenya and the Nairobi Metropolitan areas and hired by politicians.
“The criminal activities perpetuated by the gangs and goons and taking control of our communities, including the rural areas.
He cautioned, ” As the security team and the government of Kenya, the NPS cannot abrogate its responsibility to civilians. It is the duty of the NPS to provide security, and therefore, we have requested our leaders to work with us to ensure the civilians do their work and the security issues are addressed by security officers.
Mr Murkomen, while addressing the media in Kisumu County as part of the Jukwaa la Usalama, security grassroots consultative meetings, said all those criminal activities undertaken in groups in the name of gangs will be dealt with.
“This is the civilised government of Kenya and must find ways to engage them, not carry crude weapons and submit to the authority,” said the CS.
He stressed the importance of democracy and warned that they will not legalize goons.
” It’s not only Western and Nyanza; we have a problem in the Nairobi Metropolitan area. All these issues must be dealt with wholesomely, and there is a reason why Isiolo is also part of these problems because we know those who have been ferrying people from other cities to Isiolo,” said the CS.
He said they are going to lay out a strategy to dismantle the goons and go after their financiers and finances.
He revealed,” We will engage those who have been hiring them to either exit or we take the necessary legal action and urge the judiciary to work together.”
He talked on the issue of boda boda regulation, saying it should be structured and not misused for criminal activities.
“Once they are organised and structured, they will be incorporated in the security teams,” said the CS in regulating the boda boda sector.
He also faulted the rise of illicit alcohol and adulterated ethanol.
He announced that a special team has been formed to go after the culprits.
