Kisii women protest over increasing defilement cases

Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ongera addressing the press outside her office on April 8, /2021. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

A section of women leaders in Kisii have challenged security agencies to move swiftly and arrest perpetrators of sexual offenses.

Led by woman representative Janet Ongera, the women said the national police in collaboration with the provincial administration should up their game and hunt for the perpetrators.

Speaking in Kisii on April 8, 2021, Ongera said the community is to be blamed too for the rising cases of defilement, especially against minors.

Ongera was flanked by other women including women MCAs.

She said most victims have either been defiled or raped by close family members with the community always at hand to protect such perpetrators.

"Fathers like any other parent have a responsibility to take care of their children but unfortunately, in our community, they are the main culprits in a number of defilement cases,” she said.

Ongera said a number of the suspects have been let scot-free because of poor investigations coupled with lack of cooperation among affected families.

She said with collaboration with the MCAs and other stakeholders, they have planned various activities to sensitise the public on gender-based violence.

Her remarks come five days after a six-year-old girl was defiled by her step-father in Kenyoro village Marani Sub County Kisii.

The father has since gone to hiding as police launched a manhunt.