MCAs push for castration of sex offenders

By Robert Kiplagat

Baringo, Kenya: Baringo County Assembly has proposed a legislation that if enacted will see men found guilty of defilement, rape, incest and bestiality castrated.

There was heated debate in the assembly yesterday as members debated the ‘castration’ proposal, with some terming it unconstitutional.

While moving the Motion, nominated MCA Linah Sote told the House that it was disturbing that there are high cases of defilement, rape, bestiality and sexual harassment in the county.

“The county is at risk of becoming infamous for rampant social ills as opposed to need to promote, protect and develop a just society with values, ideals and principles consistent with Article 10 of our Constitution,” said Sote.

Solomon Chemjor (Kapropita), Beatrice Changwony (nominated) backed the proposal that those found guilty of the social vices be castrated.

“This county has been put on the national map due to high rate of defilement, bestiality and incest. I suggest that those men found guilty of the crime should be castrated or sentenced to life in jail to serve as a lesson to others,” Chemjor said in the session chaired by Speaker William Kamket.

Uprightness

Changwony said that most men have abdicated their responsibilities and some have chased their wives away thus end up defiling their children and engaging in sexual acts with animals.  Saphina Chelagat (nominated) condemned men for bestiality. “No development will be achieved without moral uprightness. We must find a lasting solution,” said Chelagat.

However, some MCAs differed with those proposing castration saying that it was severe and men should not be blamed alone.

“There are many contributing factors to it such as foods and women’s dress code. We cannot propose offenders to be castrated. Who knows who will be the victim?” they noted.