Amnesty International has called for immediate implementation and establishment of safe houses for abused minors to protect them from further harm.
Speaking in Kisii the International Executive Director, Irungu Houghton noted that there was need for more safe houses to shelter the victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence(SGBV).
The Executive Director, said safe house would be the best solution for the victims so that they cannot get in touch with the perpetrators.
According to Irungu, lack of safe houses was a challenge in cases of incest where the perpetrators were the victims’ fathers, grandfathers’ brothers, uncles and cousins.
“Imagine a parent taking their daughter to the hospital for treatment then later police station, all the counseling done, and at the end of the day the victim goes back to the same community or home where the incident occurred. That’s doing injustice to the victim,” Irungu said.
The recent conviction of the individuals involved in Baby Sagini’s case was praised as a step towards deterring child abuse
Irungu lauded the Kisii Law Courts for convicting family members who gouged out Baby Sagini’s eyes.
The accused persons Alex Maina Ochogo, Pacificah Nyakerario and Rael Nyakerario were sentenced to 40, 10 and 5 years respectively for the offence of grievous bodily harm contrary to section 234 of the penal code.
Irungu noted that the Court did justice to baby Sagini, and it was a win for the baby, but a lesson to those with the intent of engaging in any kind of child abuse.
He urged Kisii residents to register and be part of the Amnesty team emphasizing that there was need for the government to run shelters where everything is done for the survivors as they keep safe and wait for justice to be served.
He attributed the lack of safe houses across the region to a lack of seriousness when it comes to handling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV) cases.
His sentiments were echoed by Kisii County Amnesty International Chapter Chair Henry Okari who said the county is ready to move on matters of human rights and advocacy.
Henry called on the national and county governments to collaborate to reduce any formal of child abuse in the community.
By Elizabeth Angira
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