Deploy female officers to restrain protestors, women leaders ask IG Joseph Boinnet

A police officer confronts women who were hiding in a public toilet following anti-IEBC demonstrations in Kisumu. PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD

KISUMU: Women leaders from Kisumu have called on the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to deploy female officers to restrain women protestors in the coming anti-IEBC demonstrations.

The leaders claim it is a taboo for a man to beat another man's wife, a situation which has been witnessed in previous demonstrations in the area.

The leaders who held a press briefing on Tuesday said the Luo tradition requires that if a woman wrongs another man, the man should report her to her husband to take necessary actions but not resort to physical confrontation with her, hence the male officers ought not to engage in physical confrontation with women demonstrators.

Nominated Member of County Assembly Carolyne Ogot said a number of women were assaulted by male officers in Kisumu during the demos, a situation which has tainted their dignity.

"We are planning to demonstrate against the acts and we want the IG to bring female officers to retrain female protestors if there is need for officers," said Ms Ogot.

She added; "It was sad that some of the male officers went into the public toilets to flush-out women who had taken cover and were not part of the protestors. We are still dismayed at what may have happened in the toilets between the officers and the women."

She said the situation was a clear Gender Based Violence (GBV) case which has to be investigated and necessary action taken to protect the Luo culture.

Manyatta B MCA Nereah Okombo and her nominated counterpart Lydia Odhiambo were among the women protestors who suffered the wrath of male officers.

Ms Odhiambo condemned the attack saying they were targeted because of their weak gender.

"How can men just attack women with such weapons? It is shameful and against the Luo culture," she said.
Railway MCA Isaiah Onyango reiterated the concerns saying they would appeal to the police to ensure that female officers are deployed.

"Female officers would understand the female protestors and would keenly check where to hit should it get to that level. It was unfortunate that the male officers were caning everywhere without minding the sensitivity of some parts of a woman's body," said Onyango.

According to the Luo Council of Elders Chairman Mzee Opiyo Otondi, beating someone's wife lowers the dignity of the man and respect to the woman.

"It may happen that a man can beat another man's wife but it is not acceptable, especially if the fight results into more complex situations," said Otondi.