Kakamega is among the leading counties registering Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases in the country.
This is according to a survey by the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) citing Matungu, Khwisero, Lugari and Ikolomani as the most affected Sub Counties.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Dr Collins Matemba said they are collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure GBV Perpetrators are apprehended and charged in court accordingly.
Matemba said this on Thursday after receiving a building that has been renovated by the USAID’s Afya Halisi project that will serve as a rescue centre for the GBV victims.
“We are in the process of finalizing the GBV policy which once approved by the County Assembly, will tackle the GBV vice in the communities,” Matemba said.
The Afya Halisi Chief of Party Dr Solomon Orero expressed confidence that the facility meets the standards as recommended by the medical experts.
The County Referral Hospital (CRH) Medical Superintendent Dr Victor Zimbulu said the facility receives an average number of three victims daily mainly those sexually abused.
Dr Zimbulu stated that since GBV has been stigmatized, the centre provides a conducive environment for the victims to be attended to.
He proposed a community support Program that will ensure GBV cases are timely reported to the relevant authorities.
The medic added that similar centres will also be operationalized soon in Mumias East and Khwisero Sub-Counties.
By Sammy Mwibanda
