Taita-Taveta Governor waives hospital charges for victims of sexual violence

Taita-Taveta, Kenya: Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu has set aside the Sh1,000 fee paid by victims of sexual violence at all public health facilities in the region.

He said the fee is frustrating the fight against sexual abuse in the region because victims, especially from poor backgrounds, are unable to pay for such services at local health facilities.

“I have instructed authorities in all public health facilities not to charge victims of sexual abuse,” Mruttu said.

The governor was addressing a public baraza at Kishushe location in Wundanyi division yesterday.

He further noted that most cases of rape are concluded at the village level because victims of gender based violence are often not able to pay the fee.

“Poor residents have been forced to withdraw their cases because it has been very difficult to access P3 forms,” he said.

Women’s rights

Area Sauti Ya Wanawake officials complained to the governor that the fee levied against victims of sexual violence is unattainable and should be shelved if the war against the vice is to be won.

An official of the women’s organisation, that has been at the forefront in the fight against gender based violence, Martina Mwamburi complained of high cases of female genital mutilation (FGM), defilement, incest, child labour and prostitution among other forms of abuse.

“FGM is still going on and we need support from the county government to achieve our goals,” she told the governor.

The remarks come at a time when the government is grappling with widespread cases of gender-based violence.

High Court Judge Justice Msagha Mbogholi is also alarmed by increased cases of defilement in the region, saying something must be urgently done.

“I sit at the criminal division and almost half of the criminal cases are defilement. What has gone wrong with the society? We must all join hands to eradicate the vice,” he said.

Speaking recently in Voi during the official opening of the High Court Registry, Justice Mbogholi said access to justice remains a major challenge to poor Kenyans especially those from far-flung areas.

Widespread abuse

At the same time, Mruttu criticised leaders and residents for failing to speak against widespread cases of sexual abuse among minors in the region.

“The lives of our children are in danger because of marauding rapists who are on the rampage. Leaders need to speak up against vices like defilement, rape, incest, early marriages and pregnancies, child labour and prostitution  among school going girls and boys,” said the governor.

The governor said that most cases of sexual abuse are committed at illicit brew dens hence the need to keep such brewers in check.

The governor further disclosed that the proposed Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill will soon be passed by the County Assembly.

“Once the Bill becomes law it will regulate sale and consumption of traditional brews that have been blamed for increased defilement cases in the area,” he said.