Bomet to get GBV rescue centre as cases rise

Lack of a rescue and recovery centre in Bomet has hampered the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) which is at an all-time high in the region.

Rape, defilement and incest have steadily been on the rise in what has alarmed authorities.

Governor Hillary Barchok has said the devolved government unit would in the current financial year, construct a rescue and treatment centre.

"We have acquired a 12 acres piece of land at Kipreres Ward in Bomet East Sub-county to construct the centre for GBV victims," said Dr Barchok.

He added that they would also retain advocates to offer legal services to the victims.

LACK OF PRIVACY

Experience has shown that public hospitals are not the ideal places to host the SGBV victims because many do not follow up treatment for lack of privacy.

The county, in a program to be undertaken with the national government and non-governmental agencies, doctors, police and administrators, will be trained on evidence preservation in what would aid conviction of suspects.

"Many of the rape and defilement cases collapse in court because of mishandling of evidence when the incident occurs," said Mr Joseph Koech, a Bomet-based advocate.

Mr Koech said it sometimes takes long before evidence is preserved or the victim is taken to hospital and culprit arrested; in what undermines success of a case in court.

County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding and County Police Commander Naomi Ichami said establishment of the treatment centre was long overdue.

SUSPECTS FLED

"We have directed administrators and the police to ensure cases of gender-based violence are reported and perpetrators arrested and prosecuted," said Mr Omoding.

He said there were reported incidences where suspects fled to neighbouring counties to hide for months before resurfacing.

The violence is, however, not confined to women alone as there are cases of men being battered by women in the region.

"We have cases of men beaten up and injured by their partners, with few being reported to the police," said Ms Ichami.

Boda boda riders and small-scale traders have also been fingered for taking advantage of the girls during holidays and weekends. Day schools (pre-Covid) are the ones most affected by the vice that has ruined lives of victims who end up becoming teenage mothers. Some of the victims drop out of school due to the trauma.

UNREPORTED CASES

Ms Rose Chepkorir, the director for Gender, Culture and Social Services in the county, said many cases go unreported as victims fear coming out while others are hushed up due to intervention by relatives.

She noted the lack of counselling and recovery centres for rape, defilement and other forms of GBV victims had caused trauma to the affected who have lived with deep rooted scars.

Rapists also prey on people living with disabilities who are vulnerable. In Chemaner Ward, a girl living with albinism was raped by a relative last year.

In many cases, witnesses in cases filed in court have been threatened or compromised by the perpetrators.

Despite harsh sentences handed to some of the perpetrators, the vice continues unabated.

Last year, cases of gang rapes were reported with a round of condemnation from society members.  There has also been a rising number of defilements committed by elderly people in the county. The clergy and elders have also been roped into efforts to reverse the trend.