Governor Waiguru calls for an end to GBV in the region

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru Wednesday raised an alarm over the rising cases of gender-based violence in the region.

At least, 2,485 people have been battered this year alone, 98 percent of them are women.

According to Governor Waiguru, 797 people, among them 61 children under the age of five years are reported to have been sexually assaulted and treated for injuries sustained from gender-based violence.

Speaking at Maya hotel in Sagana town during the marking of the end of Sixteen days of Activism against gender violence, Ms Waiguru lamented that the trend was worrying.

She emphasised that what was happening in the region was unacceptable and must be stopped.

MALE VICTIMS

The County boss observed that even the number of men who are victims of the vice could be higher if such cases are reported.

"Men shy away from reporting when attacked by their wives and that is why the number of males who are [reported] affected is small," she posed.

Deliberate efforts, she added should be made to deter occurrence of the vice.

"Collective responsibility must apply in the effort to eliminate gender based violence," she stated.

GBV UNIT

Given the prevalence of the offence, the devolved government has established a gender-based violence recovery unit for rehabilitation and counselling of the victims.

"We want to help the victims and that is why we have come up with this unit. It is not their fault and we must help them recover," she said.

She appealed to both men and women to restrain themselves when offended.

"When wives and husbands differ on issues, they should not fight each other. They should resolve their problems peacefully," she stated.

ENDING GBV

She asked political and religious leaders to work together to bring an end to such offences in the region.

"We should all join hands and sensitise our people on the adverse effects of attacking one another. We should assist our people to reform and learn how to live together peacefully," she said.

Accompanied by her deputy Peter Ndambiri, the Governor asked those attacked to make reports to law enforcers for action.