National Assembly (NA) Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has cautioned the society against supporting Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), especially on women saying the government will not relent in its fight against the vice.
Wetang’ula said African traditional norms forbid men from brutalizing women in the name of love, pointing out that women are there to be loved and not to be assaulted.
Speaking during a women empowerment forum championed by the West Pokot Women representative Rael Kasiwai and the Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto at Chelang’a grounds in Kapenguria Town, the NA Speaker decried rampant cases of femicide in the country, portending a worrying trend.
However, Wetang’ula lauded the government for the recent formation of a 42 member Taskforce headed by the former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Barasa led task force, aimed at tackling the rising cases of femicide and Gender Based Violence(GBV) in the country.
“Traditionally men were given a special stick to deal with their loved ones, but not through violence. Men should love their spouses and the women fraternity in general as espoused in the Holy Scriptures,” he stated.
The NA Speaker drummed up support for the women empowerment drives being organized across the country saying this was one of the best ways to combat SGBV.
At the same time, he advocated for prosecution of all those found advocating for violence against women in society.
“The reported cases of femicides are worrying and the government remains vigilant to ensure the vice stops at all costs.
Today we have come here to empower women because they are the pillars to family stability. Some cases of GBV arise because of economic constraints,” explained the Speaker.
Wetang’ula who was the chief guest during the event, presented a Sh 3million donation from the President Dr. William Ruto that saw a total of Sh7.3million being raised.
The Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki also sent Sh1million, while Wetang’ula gave a personal donation of Sh500,000, with a similar amount from the Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruyoit, even as other guests also presented their donations in varied amounts.
On politics, the Speaker said the government had so far delivered beyond expectations, citing the subsidized fertilizer programme that has seen the country produce 85million bags of maize this year, compared to 34million bags in 2022, when the current regime took over power.
“The government has equally made history since 1963 by recruiting 76,000 teachers over the last couple of years.
Those opposed to Ruto’s leadership have no agenda, instead they keep on chanting empty slogans meant to divide the country along ethnic lines,” said Wetang’ula.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli and Vihiga County Woman representative Beatrice Adagala also graced the occasion.
The leaders expressed their support for Ruto’s leadership, while calling for unity among all Kenyans for faster development in the country.
by Richard Muhambe
