The Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including femicide, has engaged residents of West Pokot County to strengthen efforts in combating the issues within the region.
Led by Philomena Loitareng’an, the group held a forum at Mtelo Hall in Kapengruia town, where community leaders, survivors, and gender rights organizations shared recommendations on how to address GBV and femicide.
During a press briefing, West Pokot County Commissioner Abdullai Khalif revealed that President William Samoei Ruto had appointed the technical working group through a Kenya gazette notice on January 10, 2025, to assess and recommend measures to enhance policies, legal frameworks, and institutional responses to GBV and femicide nationwide.
Khalif said the team’s mandate was extended on April 25, 2025, allowing them to continue their work, including visiting counties like West Pokot for public participation.
Philomena Loitareng’an, a member of the Technical Working Group highlighted that under-reporting of cases was a significant challenge in West Pokot, with GBV normalized to the extent that wife-battering was often seen as acceptable.
She stressed the need to improve access to justice, noting that the costs associated with court processes and forensic services such as DNA testing are prohibitive for victims.
She said currently, forensic tests require travelling to Kisumu County, which is a barrier to timely justice.
She said the group aims to find solutions to make the judicial process more accessible and affordable. Ensuring vulnerable persons can seek justice undue burden.
She discussed the need to fast-track judicial procedures and address issues like operations of government chemists, which currently only function from Kisumu, thereby delaying forensic investigations vital for prosecution.
Loitareng’an said there was a need for a strong commitment to tackling GBV through community, policy, review, and institutional reforms, with the goals of creating a safer environment for women and vulnerable groups in west Pokot and beyond.
Harleen Jabbal, another member of the Technical Working Group, highlighted that West Pokot was the second county they visited as part of their broader engagement across eight counties.
She explained that the group received a brief overview of the GBV and femicide cases in the county from the County Commissioner and county leadership, providing them with foundational information about the prevalence and nature of the cases locally.
She emphasized that the primary purpose of their visit was to collect direct insights and views from residents on the ground, guided by Dr, Nancy Barasa, who is the chairperson of the technical working group.
‘‘We are here to get first-hand information from people facing the issues such as child marriage, Female genital Mutilation (FGM), and other contributing factors to GBV and femicide,’’ Jabbal stated.
She noted that the group values community participation and expects to gather recommendations from members of the public.
‘‘The insights will inform a comprehensive report aimed at addressing the ongoing challenge of GBV and femicide, which continues to make headlines in the media.
Jabbal said the exercise underscores the importance of engaging the communities directly to develop effective, ground-up strategies to combat GBV and femicide countrywide.
The Deputy Governor of West Pokot, Robert Komolle, expressed appreciation for the technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide for taking the time to visit the county and gather community views on factors contributing to GBV, including femicide.
He highlighted that key contributors to GBV in West Pokot include high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and traditional cultural norms.
‘‘Limited resources lead to gender-based violence and illiteracy, and some traditional norms, such as the belief that beating a wife is acceptable, persist despite being outdated in the modern world,’’ he explained.
Komolle noted that the visit by the technical working group was a positive step, emphasizing that it was the first time such a group on GBV and femicide had visited west Pokot to collect community views.
He stressed that the group would submit the perspectives to the national body for future policy and decision-making.
He cited a 34% GBV rate in 2024, according to the national statistics, which he attributed partly to cultural factors.
He also criticized the justice system, pointing out that when suspects of GBV are arrested and taken to police stations, they are sometimes released without further actions. This he said, undermines justice and discourages victims from seeking help.
He emphasized that the costs involved in pursuing justice such as court fees and forensic investigations are significant barriers, especially since forensic tests like DNA analysis currently require travel to Kisumu County, delaying prosecutions.
Rosana Kashor, who advocates against corruption and issues of GBV, working with sexual Violence Kenya and Pokot Women Empowerment Organization (POWEO), shared her personal and professional experiences.
She highlighted the difficulties victims face when reporting cases at police stations, citing frustrations and cases where police officers have hindered access to justice.
Kashor pointed out that GBV affects both men and women, with cases of women raped in Kacheliba area of Pokot North Sub-County, where victims were not helped due to the refusal of relevant offices to handle their cases or fear of extortion.
She also recounted her personal experience as a GBV victim, having fought with another woman, which left her scarred, and lamented the lack of assistance from institutions mandated to fight GBV.
Kashor praised the visit by the technical working group, believing that the community’s grievances and experiences will inform effective strategies to combat GBV.
Another victim, Patricia Rotich, a paralegal at Pokot Women Empowerment Organization, highlighted the numerous cases she handles, including violations of women’s rights and issues related to land ownership.
She explained that within Pokot culture, women are not allowed to own land or inherit property from their parents.
‘‘Some women attempt to secure land through proxies like brothers, but are often denied access when trying to settle or inheritance disputes,’’ Rotich said.
Rotich expressed confidence that the community’s issues raised during the visit would be addressed, facilitating support for victims.
She also mentioned efforts by her organization to sensitize women about their rights, though reaching all women remains challenging.
Selina Chepkiror, Chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake in west Pokot, thanked the technical working group for coming to the region.
She emphasized that women from pastoral communities are particularly vulnerable to GBV and often face discrimination, especially regarding inheritance and assets rights after the death of a husband’s family.
Chepkiror praised the forum for providing women a platform to voice their grievances without fear.
However, she highlighted the lack of a dedicated rescue center for GBV victims in west Pokot and revealed that women advocating against GBV have faced threats and attacks, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures and support systems.
Komolle and community leaders recognized the multifaceted nature of GBV in west Pokot blaming cultural norms, poverty, and systemic shortcomings. They see the technical group’s visit as crucial towards addressing the challenges of GBV and femicide through community engagement, policy reforms, and increased support for victims.
By Anthony Melly and Victor Wanjala
