Residents of Vihiga County have been warned against engaging in defilement and gender-based violence (GBV), amid rising cases of young girls losing their lives in the hands of cruel men in the area.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations held at Hamisi Stadium, Vihiga County Commissioner Peter Maina, in a speech read on his behalf by the Hamisi Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Ruth Lorete, cautioned that all those found committing the two vices will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Maina called on residents to desist from engaging in criminal activities especially defilement and GBV, saying the county and the sub-counties’ security teams were on high alert and they are working around the clock to ensure the twin vices become a thing of the past.
“Just like we dealt with the issue of cattle theft in Hamisi sub-county, the security team will equally deal with the issue of defilement in the entire county, and we will not spare any perpetrator,” he said.
On her part, Lorete urged residents to volunteer any valuable information to the relevant authorities so that any culprits are dealt with, saying that failure to do so would make the perpetrators go scot-free and continue to engage in the same criminal activities.
The DCC also cautioned residents against engaging in kangaroo courts when it comes to serious issues like defilement, which warrants life imprisonment.
Speaking at the same function, the County Women Representative, Beatrice Adagala, regretted that the Western region has the highest cases of defilement and GBV countrywide, leading to rampant femicide.
Adagala said cases of defilement were on the rise in Vihiga County, calling on residents to be very alert and vigilant.
She cited the recent case where a young girl from Masana Comprehensive School was defiled, killed, and her body dumped in a culvert.
The women’s rep regretted that the people who are supposed to be protecting children are the same ones taking advantage of the youngsters, citing the case of a police officer from the Gambogi police station who defiled a girl recently.
Vihiga County Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo said the perpetrators of defilement will not be spared, but they will be dealt with accordingly.
Dr. Ottichilo called on residents to ensure that they protect all children from defilement and sodomy, cautioning those found capable that their days were numbered.
He added that the Vihiga County government, in conjunction with the national government, will soon come up with a committee that will deal firmly with issues of defilement and GBV.
By Maureen Imbayi
