Police officer Moses Chirandine Mang’eni, a state-honoured hero, continues his fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in rural areas of Busia and Kakamega counties.
Mang’eni received a Heroes Award on October 20, 2025, conferred by President William Ruto during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui County. He was among 184 national heroes recognised by the National Heroes Council for outstanding contributions to society. Mang’eni was honoured under the Human Rights category for his unwavering commitment to combating SGBV.
By the time of his recognition, Mang’eni, stationed at Amukura Police Station, had handled 64 SGBV cases in Busia courts, securing 28 convictions since 2020. While serving at Matete Police Station, he also initiated the upgrading of Matete football grounds to support youth talent development as a strategy to reduce crime.
On child protection, he helped establish a child protection unit in Matete Sub-County and rescued over 55 abused children, facilitating their return to school. In December 2018, Mang’eni rescued a one-year-old girl abandoned in a sugarcane plantation in Kivaywa, Kakamega County. He ensured the child received medical treatment and traced her mother, who was later charged with child abuse at Butali Law Courts.
After his transfer to Port Victoria Police Station in 2020, Mang’eni set up a child protection desk to handle SGBV cases. Speaking to KNA after leading an awareness campaign for village elders at Kotur Location in Amukura, Teso South, he pledged to sustain the anti-SGBV campaign, promote child protection, and strengthen referral mechanisms among stakeholders.
As a police officer manning a gender desk, Mang’eni investigates SGBV cases, gathers evidence, records statements, collaborates with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and prepares case files to support successful prosecutions.
Due to the high number of cases, he regularly engages community members through sensitisation forums in schools, churches, public barazas, and other gatherings to create awareness. “I educate community members on SGBV and children’s rights and warn them of the legal consequences facing perpetrators,” he noted.
Mang’eni observed that his outreach has strengthened public confidence in the justice system, leading to increased reporting of cases. “Cases that previously went unreported are now brought to my attention. My community outreaches have also reduced kangaroo courts, as residents trust the government to ensure justice for survivors,” he said.
He ensures survivors are treated with dignity and guided through a survivor-friendly justice process. Mang’eni expressed confidence that the sustained fight against SGBV will yield positive results and called on community members and stakeholders to support the campaign.
By Moses Wekesa
