Victims of domestic abuse in Kenya to be treated at rescue centres

NAIROBI: The government will put up rescue centres where victims of gender violence can seek help in case of abuse. Gender Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the government would set up centres in key hospitals in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu.

“The government has not only invested in ensuring there is legislation on the vice, but will also invest in establishing rescue centres in major hospitals. We are engaging faith-based organisations, religious and community leaders to join hands with the government in fighting this vice,” said Ms Kariuki.

Kariuki was speaking yesterday at PCEA Kikuyu Hospital after visiting Ms Jackline Mwende, the woman whose hands were recently chopped off by her husband in Masii, Machakos County.

The CS said: “We are here to encourage this young lady and announce the government’s position in relation to continued gender violence crimes against women and also men. The law and the Constitution are clear; no amount of provocation should lead one to physically harm another human being.”

She assured Mwende of the government's support. "The financial position of the victim also contributes to this vice. When you wait for your spouse to provide for you, you become vulnerable,” said Kariuki.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Phylis Kandie, who was also present at the hospital, called on families to resolve their disputes amicably.

“The family unit is under siege. We should embrace conversation and also engage the church in such matters,” she said. Mwende is set to get prosthetics from electronics maker LG, which also pledged to meet all her medical expenses.