Meru County Woman Representative Karambu Kailemia has ignited debate after publicly declaring that men found guilty of sexually abusing minors should face castration as punishment.
Her remarks come amid growing concerns over gender-based violence in Meru County, which ranks among the most affected counties in reported cases.
Speaking while issuing sanitary pads to school-going children in Imenti North Constituency, Kailemia decried what she termed as alarming cases of sexual and gender based violence in Meru.
She said the safety of children remains a top priority, adding that leaders cannot afford to remain silent as minors continue to suffer abuse.
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“About a week ago we started talking about this gender-based violence. If I am asked, and I have already said this before, those mature men who are doing this should be castrated,” said Kailemia.
The legislator expressed concern that some of the perpetrators are mature men who fully understand the consequences of their actions.
She termed the acts as despicable and said the pain inflicted on young girls is often lifelong.
In addition, Kailemia noted that she intends to push for legislative proposals in Parliament that would introduce harsher penalties for those found culpable of defiling minors.
She argued that tough action would serve both as punishment and as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“That is what I am going to suggest, by the way, so that that man is going to feel the pain that the young girls or the young lady felt,” she added.
Nonetheless, Kailemia also addressed the issue of sexual education in schools, saying she has reconsidered her earlier opposition to the idea.
She noted that modern-day children are already exposed to sexual content through mobile phones and the internet, making structured education necessary.
“What don’t they know, yet they spend most of their time hiding behind those phones? There is nothing that they don’t know, so we should introduce sex education in schools,” said Kailemia.
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She emphasized that sex education should be delivered in simple and age-appropriate language that children can easily understand.
Drawing an analogy with religious teachings, she said young learners are often taught the Bible using simplified versions rather than complex language, and the same approach should apply to sexual education.
Kailemia maintained that empowering children with the right information will help them understand boundaries, protect themselves, and report abuse timely.
By John Majau
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