Kakamega is one of the leading Counties in Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases with Shinyalu, Ikolomani, Khwisero, Matungu and Lugari Sub-Counties recording alarming rates. This is according to a study submitted to Kenya Health Information System by the health facility data.
Seliphar Musungu, Kakamega
At the gate of Matungu Rural hospital from far could see a woman with her teenage daughter.
She looked stressed up and restless. I walked towards her and after greeting her, I enquired what the problem was what had brought them to the hospital.
Rosemary Nabwire said that she was at the hospital to seek medication after her daughter was defiled by a sex predator well known to the family.
“My daughter who was class eight pupil was defiled by an unknown person and later given herbs to terminate the pregnancy. He threatened to kill her if she revealed the act to anyone,” said Nabwire
Nabwire said that when she took her daughter for checkup at Matungu rural hospital, no tests were conducted for her.
“When I took my daughter to Matungu Rural hospital no tests were performed on her. I was told to pay Sh500 which I didn’t have for my daughter to get the services at the hospital,” said Nabwire
“Apart from teenage pregnancies the rate at which these children will contract HIV aids is high. As private organizations fighting for children rights we are calling upon the county government to take such matters seriously since its affects the future generation,” said Omolo
Nabwire said that her daughter is living in fear as the perpetrator poses death threats on her. She explains that no action has been taken towards the perpetrator even after reporting to the necessary authorities.
“Am calling upon the county government to take the necessary action to arrest the culprit. My daughter’s life is in danger. I was forced to take her away from this village and cut short her education because of her safety,” said Nabwire
Kakamega Law CourtsKakamega is one of the leading Counties in Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases with Shinyalu, Ikolomani, Khwisero, Matungu and Lugari Sub-Counties recording alarming rates. This is according to a study submitted to Kenya Health Information System by the health facility data.
Against the backdrop, private organizations fighting for children rights at Matungu Sub County are calling upon the county government of Kakamega to take action towards those who defile children to prevent an increase of defilement cases in Matungu Sub county.
More than 20 cases are reported on a monthly basis. International Committee for the Development of People (CISP) and Matungu Rural Poverty Alleviation (MARPA) say they receive reports on defilement cases daily in the area.
According to the program coordinator, Fredrick Omolo, defilement was rampant in Matungu than any other place in Kakamega.
“These two organizations decided to conduct a mobile clinic to find out more cases of child defilement and to educate the community on benefits of taking these cases to court. We realized that teenage pregnancies and defilement cases are increasing daily with more than 20 cases reported every month.” said Omolo
Matungu leading in defilement cases in Kakamega - Photo/CourtesyOmolo reported that when such cases occur and the child is taken to hospital or dispensaries around there is no essential things like pre-exposure prophylaxis PREP and post –exposure prophylaxis PEP to prevent victims from contracting HIV and AIDS
“We talked to the victims and we were shocked to be told that when the go to hospitals they are told to go back home and come back after two weeks for a pregnancy test with no PREP nor PEP and no test kits. Lacking such essential commodities in our hospitals is so alarming,” said Omolo
He added: “Apart from teenage pregnancies the rate at which these children will contract HIV aids is high. As private organizations fighting for children rights we are calling upon the county government to take such matters seriously since its affects the future generation,”
“When such matters are reported in our office, we always refer such matters to the court of law and the perpetrator faces the law. We have a problem with our community,” said Abongo
Omolo advised parents to be vigilant on their children and not to allow such matters to be solved at home.
Matungu Children’s Officer, Cynthia Abongo confirmed that most of the hospitals especially dispensaries they are lacking test kits, PREP and PEP hence leading to high number of HIV infections
“As a department we are aware that there are no essential commodities like PREP, PEP and testing kits in our hospitals and dispensaries and it is an issue that is nationwide, as an office the only thing is to sensitize the community on HIV and early pregnancies,” said Abongo
Abongo condemned kangaroo courts saying that they are the main reason why children defilement cases are increasing in Matungu Sub County.
“When such matters are reported in our office, we always refer such matters to the court of law and the perpetrator faces the law. We have a problem with our community,” said Abongo
She added: “We have kangaroo courts where people don’t want to report such matters; they prefer solving the matter at home which is the main reason for high caseloads regarding early pregnancy and teenage pregnancy.”
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