Matiang’i pledge to women over wave of brutal attacks

From left: Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, Interior CS Fred Matiangi and Youth and Gender Affairs CS Margaret Kobia at the vigil to honour the women who were murdered during the launch of Her life matters-women crusade to end domestic violence at UoN on Friday. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

The horror of violence against women and children was laid bare following revelations that police receive an average five cases everyday.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i told a vigil held at the University of Nairobi, to create awareness about the senseless attacks that about 802 cases have been reported this year.

Of these, about 403 were cases of violence meted against children while the rest are women. The attacks involve murder and rape.

“Listening to families speak about their loved ones is heart-wrenching and it will take an animal or a cold-hearted person not to feel pained and frustrated by these kinds of things,” the CS said.

Dr Matiang’i noted that 80 per cent of the cases have been reported and the suspects are either in custody or have been taken before a magistrate and released on bond.

Significant events

The CS regretted that nearly everyday he receives bad news.

Everyday at 4:30am he is in communication with the eight regional commissioners and in most cases they send him significant events of the day so that by day break, he is ready to prepare what he has to deal with.

“By 5:30am, the Inspector General of police, the DCI, myself and other colleagues in the security sector have a conversation on the significant events that have been reported across the country,” Matiang’i said.

He added, “when you start the day, no one breaks good news, it is very rare for this to happen.”

The CS disclosed that two weeks ago, a pregnant woman and her seven-year-old child were killed in their house in Matungu, Kakamega County. One of the suspects has appeared in court at least 21 times, charged with different crimes.

He regretted that aggression and beastly acts against women and children were eroding societal values.

“I will not pretend about this, it is frustrating and very concerning to the country the level of violence among us,” said the CS.

Matiang’i announced government plans to invest in an ultramodern forensic lab to fast track investigations and bring culprits to book.

“We need to come together and look at how within the criminal justice system, we can set aside institutions that separately deal with these issues, so that even in courts, the cases can be heard on a day to day basis and concluded,” he said.

The CS said it is not fair for families to endure the torturous journey of going to court day in day out and spending resources in endless search for justice.

“When a matter has not been concluded in a court of law, it remains an open wound and it haunts families and people stay with this for a long time,” the CS said.

He assured that his ministry will support the judicial system through training a special cadre of police with expertise in investigation and law during the next in take.

“This will help us in investigation so that police officers are not sent out of court every day because cases are not properly examined,” the CS said.

He promised that the gender based violence desks in police stations will be equipped to deal with such issues separately.

Matiang’i admitted there have been cases of police officers turning violent against each other.

The CS urged the public to improve their livelihoods and instill good values in children to curb beastily acts.

He also accused the county governments of laxity in war against illicit brew. The CS said the counties are only interested in revenue and are licencing everyone to sale alcohol.

“When they are taken to court the magistrate releases them because they produce a licence from the county government,” said Matiang’i.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia said domestic violence is a complex issue but there is need to find the route cause. He asked the universities and the academia to research and find findings solutions to the issue.

“To solve a problem, you must understand that problem,” Prof Kobia said.

She added that the government also needs to set up refuge centres, where people can stay in case their lives are in danger.