Alarm raised as more women, men are abused

Officials raise concern over rising gender-based violence cases in Taita Taveta. [File Courtesy] Officials have raised alarm over increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Taita Taveta County. The officials disclosed that statistics show 526 cases have been reported in 2025, with sexual violence among minors topping the list at 367 cases. Janet Mwaluma, the County Coordinator for Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health, revealed that women and girls bear the brunt of these cases, with 460 women sexually abused, while 66 men experienced gender-based violence. The official added that records also show 159 cases of physical and emotional violence. Speaking at Mwatate sub-County Hospital yesterday, Mwaluma noted that the region has been experiencing various forms of GBV, which have now become a significant public health concern and crisis. Other prevalent forms in the region include physical, sexual and psychological violence, while trafficking and forced prostitution are increasing at alarming levels. While releasing the GBV figures, Mwaluma said concerted efforts must be made to reverse the worrying trend. "The figures we have are cases reported in our public hospitals only," she stated. A fortnight ago, Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen raised alarm over rising cases of defilement and rape in the region. The CS also decried early marriages and pregnancies, which have severely affected girls' education. Murkomen noted that sexual gender-based violence, especially against minors and women, continues to emerge as a major form of crime in the region. He declared that the government will not relent in its efforts to ensure the county, and the country at large, are free from such vices. Speaking at Bura Trading Centre during the official opening of the new Bura Police Station in Mwatate sub-County, Murkomen warned local elders and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) against arbitrating such cases at the grassroots level through "kangaroo courts.'' The CS warned that these "courts" have been badly affecting the justice delivery system. Without giving figures, Murkomen disclosed that defilement and rape cases are on the rise in the region. Femicide cases are also on the increase. The CS warned that no such cases should be arbitrated at home. Murkomen, who was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat and Mwatate MP Peter Shake, attributed the rise of SGBV to retrogressive cultures of solving such cases at home for fear of retribution, hardcore drugs and illicit brews. The leaders also attributed the rising cases to widespread same-sex activity and consumption of illicit brews and drugs, breakdown in marriages, lack of parental care and illiteracy levels, among others. "The perpetrators of sexual violence should be arrested and prosecuted. There are available penal institutions for sexual offenders so that children can be free from sexual abuse. Let me remind the security apparatus in the region that "Kangaroo Courts "are illegal and anyone found abating them in his or her area of jurisdiction will be disciplined," warned the CS. "We must bring an end to GBV cases. We are giving criminals a notice and we will not tolerate any criminal activities," added Mr Lagat. Recently, a grade six girl was defiled and subsequently murdered in cold blood at Werugha trading centre. The body of the minor was later found in a pond. And in another shocking incident, an elderly woman was raped and subsequently brutally murdered and her body dumped near Wundayi Police Station. The incident was linked to femicide. Meanwhile, County Woman representative Lydia Haika said the completion of the multi-million shillings rescue and rehabilitation centre for victims of sexual violence will help minimise the GBV cases. She said the facility constructed by Ngaaf will also help rehabilitate and rescue drug and alcohol addicts, including neglected elderly in the region. "We have several gender based violence which have been dismissed in courts for lack of evidence because victims of sexual violence are either being intimidated and threatened by the perpetrators of such violence. The facility will not only be a haven for the victims but also stop the interference of their cases," stated Haika. At the same time, the Youth and Sports Executive, Shedrack Mutungi, said the fight against GBV has been intensified as the county administration has formulated laws and policies to address the vice. The CECM disclosed that Sexual Gender Based and Child Welfare Policies have already been formulated and operationalised to help end GBV cases in the region. Mutungi revealed that the Gender Based Violence Bill will also be enacted soon. "The county and its development partners have developed policies and scaled up the fight against the vice that remains a major challenge as the new push to curb the vice intensifies in the region," the CECM stated.

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