Bill seeks to empower counties in protecting violence victims

What you need to know:

  • The proposed law further states that once the structures have been established by the counties, they will be transferred to the sub-counties and to the wards for access by all victims.
  • A report, released by the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) in conjunction with International Rescue Committee, on the prevalence of the act showed that 66 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men experienced at least one incident of physical, emotional or sexual assault as children.

County governments will soon have a say in domestic violence cases if a proposed law sails through Parliament.

The Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill, 2013, which is to be tabled before the National Assembly for the third reading, also gives counties powers to protect victims of domestic violence.

This will be done by county executives in charge of gender through consultations with the relevant Cabinet secretary, if the Bill is passed.

“The Cabinet secretary shall in consultation with county executives, develop the necessary policy to facilitate the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for protection of victims of domestic violence,” reads the Bill sponsored by Mr Samuel Chepkonga, the chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

The proposed law further states that once the structures have been established by the counties, they will be transferred to the sub-counties and to the wards for access by all victims.

“In this Act, violence means child marriages, female genital mutilation, forced marriages, forced wife inheritance, interference from in-laws, sexual violence within marriage, virginity tests and widow cleansing,” reads the Bill.

The move comes as cases of domestic violence against married women and children increase.

A report, released by the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) in conjunction with International Rescue Committee, on the prevalence of the act showed that 66 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men experienced at least one incident of physical, emotional or sexual assault as children.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

The report further indicates an increase in cases of chiefs in rural Kenya administering corporal punishment to victims specifically in areas of Nyanza like Seme in Kisumu County.

According to the Bill, the responsible county executives will work in liaison with relevant government departments to provide protection to victims as well as witnesses in the cases.

It further aims to protect children from psychological abuse resulting from exposure to abuse of their parent or guardian either physically, sexually or psychologically.