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SGBV help as police open one-stop care centre in Nanyuki

Second one in Kenya; 78% of 2017 poll victims did not report to the police.

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by CYRUS OMBATI

Counties29 May 2022 - 19:00
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In Summary


  • Policare  designed to provide a practical services for the prevention of and response to SGBV.
  • It  include forensics experts, health providers, legal experts, gender experts, a magistrate on call and DPP representative.
Rift Valley regional police commander Tom Odera speaking during the the Policare handover event in Nanyuki on May 27.

The first one-stop comprehensive centre outside Nairobi for sexual and gender-based violence has opened in Nanyuki. 

The Nanyuki Policare Centre was handed over to the National Police Service on Friday.

It includes forensic investigators, health providers, gender experts, legal experts including a magistrate on call, and a representative from the DPP's office, all under one roof at the police station.

The completed Sh9 million section is a joint effort by the National Police Service, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) and the UK’s REINVENT programme.

The UK has provided technical and financial support, plus policy, strategy and standard operating procedures.

Speaking at the event, Brigadier Ronnie Westerman, Defence Adviser at the British High Commission, said working with partners to end these crimes is a top priority.

“The UK is proud of its ground-breaking work to help to eradicate violence against women and girls by pioneering new approaches around the world," he said.

“Programmes like Policare help women get all-around support, which is key for their well-being, safety and ultimately for their empowerment,” the official said.

Assistant inspector general of police and director of Policare Judy Lamet said statistics from the 2017 elections show the centre is much needed.

Seventy-eight per cent of victims of sexual and gender-based violence did not report to the police.

“We are at the cusp of launching and fully opening doors to the public to this integrated victim-centred station.

"With this handover, we are ready to hit the ground running, even as we anticipate full operations with all stakeholders on board,” she said.

She said the programme is a very timely project that will build trust between police and the public.

Many rape victims don't report the crime to police because they say they are not taken seriously and little or nothing is done to help them.

“We hope to see further collaboration with the public to ensure perpetrators of these acts are dealt with and the victims are protected, treated and get justice through the one stop Policare centre," Lamet said.

The REINVENT’s Chief of Party at Tetratech International Jaki Mbogo said the most significant support to persons affected by SGBV is an opportunity for a dignified recovery.

“Policare brings dignity to recovery by integrating police and justice response into the healing and recovery process. REINVENT and UKaid are proud to be associated with this novel and transformative policing practice in Kenya,” she said.

The UK’s REINVENT programme has provided infrastructure support to the first Policare centre in Nairobi. that includes supplying computers and printers for data collection and management.

(Edited by V. Graham) 

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