National Assembly women legislators have castigated Gender Based Violence (GBV) atrocities in Gusii region in the strongest terms possible observing that the rate of GBV crime in the region was alarming.
While rallying support for Nyamira County MP Jerusha Momanyi’s bid to vie for the governor’s seat come 2027 at Matutu PAG Secondary school, Nyandarua County Women Representative who is also the chairlady of Women Reps in Kenya, Faith Gitau stated that the high rate of GBV and femicide atrocities in Nyamira and Gusii region at large is worrying and portrayed the region as an insecure place.
“When love and mutual relations in the family fade and one of the partners becomes abusive to an extent of threatening to end your life, it is advisable to immediately flee for your life since verbal murder threats are real acts at heart, and it’s just a matter of time before the crime is executed. Most women have interpreted verbal life threatening statements casually and opt to persevere GVB atrocities just to maintain their matrimonial homes and have unfortunately lost their lives in a manner most foul,” Gitau advised.
She emphasized that an abusive union is not worth anyone’s life, but preservation of life was far more important than contending with an abusive relationship or marriage.
Vihiga County Woman Rep Beatrice Adagala said that women have a very critical role in their respective homes and should just be loved by all because they ensured that despite the family economic constraints, the family system is working and there is continuity in everything what spurs family growth, development and mutual understanding by members of the family.
“Women, girls, children and people with disability are at high risk of GVB crimes and as women leaders, we shall not just sit and watch as these vulnerable groups of people in our community suffer and die innocently. We shall ensure that perpetrators are not left to mingle with us freely without arrest and prosecution. I beseech all of us to ensure GBV crimes are reported immediately to protect especially our women from premature death due to GBV,” Adagala said.
Samburu County Woman Rep Pauline Lenguris said GBV atrocities included not just murder but verbal assault and threats, rape, defilement, sodomy, FGM and cyber bullying amongst others.
She put all GBV perpetrators on notice saying that they have made communities be discriminated against by others due to individual crimes and promised that women legislators would “fight GBV to make our homes and communities habitable and conducive to nurture happy families where love flourishes and development thrives”.
The women representatives unanimously lauded President Ruto’s development plans and his implementation strategy saying he is delivering his campaign manifesto and by 2027, he would have stabilized the country’s economy.
Other County women representatives present in the public rally included those from Kisii, West Pokot, Embu, Kwale, Siaya, and Narok and two elected Members of Parliament from Aldai and Kitui south Constituencies.
By Deborah Bochere
