Nandi: Residents of Nandi County have been warned against normalizing the killing of women and children in their midst, a leading human rights crusader has warned. Nandi County civil rights crusader and End Femicide Coordinator, Monica Jepkoskegei, told a public participation forum on Gender Based Violence (GBV) at Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex in Nandi County that there was a big threat to normalize femicide because the locals don't speak loudly when such incidents happen.
According to Kenya News Agency, Jepkoskegei emphasized the importance of collective condemnation of femicide and other forms of GBV, as statistics indicate an increase in such violent cases. She described femicide as a societal loss impacting the nation, children, parents, and relatives of those affected. Jepkoskegei proposed prioritizing and institutionalizing sensitization on GBV and Femicide to raise awareness and encourage community action against the vice.
Jepkoskegei also highlighted the silence of community members when femicide cases occur, emphasizing the need for urgent involvement of stakeholders, including elders, to manage the rising cases of GBV and femicide in Nandi and the broader region.
Nandi County Director of Gender, George Ondonga, expressed concern over the rise of GBV cases and femicide, particularly in Tinderet and Nandi Hills Subcounties, where defilement, domestic violence, and rape incidents have increased. Ondonga cited recent cases, such as a woman killed by her estranged husband in Nandi South Sub-County and the discovery of a woman's body in a sack in Mutwot area, as indicators of the growing femicide issue.
Ondonga noted that many GBV cases remain unreported due to the prevalence of community kangaroo courts, which hinder resolution. He advocated for a multi-sectoral approach in Nandi County, involving government agencies, healthcare providers, legal institutions, and community organizations, to address these challenges. He identified inadequate resources, weak data management, and a lack of safe spaces as obstacles to effective GBV interventions.
Participants at the GBV forum informed the visiting National Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide that assault and defilement are prevalent GBV forms in Nandi. They attributed the normalization of GBV cases, dysfunctional families, and poverty as major threats to combating GBV and Femicide.
Philomena Chelang'at Loitarengat, Head of Secretariat of the National Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide, acknowledged the government's awareness of rising GBV and Femicide cases nationwide. She mentioned that the group was gathering public input on how to end these vices. Among their tasks are recommending proposals to strengthen family ties, foster co-existence, and support the resolution of domestic disputes.
The event was also attended by Nandi Central Deputy County Commissioner Alfet Jilo and other local leaders.