• Women urged to leave marriages and relationships characterised by any form of violence.
• It's better to suffer misguided critics after a failed marriage than to end up dead.
Several Kiuti lawmakers have urged women to leave violent marriages and relationships — fast — and ake their children.
Any form of violence — many kinds of physical abuse and emotional violence — are bad, they said on Monday.
They cited the killings of Joyce Sombua, who came from a rural Kitui subcounty‚ and her two children allegedly by her estranged husband, a KDF major. Their bodies were recently found in a Nanyki cemetery but the killings occurred on or about October 26.
Family murders and domestic violence have been widely reported. Many women refuse to leave, when they do, some are murdered.
Led by Kitui MP Irene Kasalu, lawmakers said it's better to suffer misguided critics after a failed marriage or relationships — women are often blamed for failing to keep a family together.
My dear ladies, no marriage is worth anyone’s life. If it develops crucial complications that seem hard to solve, just leave — but carry your children along.Kitui MP Irene Kasalu
But running for your our life and that of your is better than ending up dead when the same critics, usually women, weep at your burial, they were told.
Kasalu was speaking at Migwani market, accompanied by Mwingi West MP, Charles Nguna. they issued Uwezo Fund cheques worth Sh10 million to 58 self-help groups.
She warned women to be very careful around their partners, especially during this time where depression is leading man to commit cruel attacks and murders.
“My dear ladies, no marriage is worth anyone’s life. If the marriage develops crucial complications that seem hard to solve, just leave, but carry your children along,” Kasalu said.
Nguna urged the government to swiftly implement law passed by the National Assembly to set up counselling centres in health centres countryside.
“Cases of domestic violence and suicide have been on the rise in recent days. I urge the government to move with speed and set up at least one counselling centre in each constituency,” stated Nguna.
"Cases of men killing spouses have been on the rise and it is high time ministries and leaders ake necessary acton to top the cruel acts," Nguna advised.
Nguna further appealed to men to talk about their marital frustrations to people who can help, whether clergy, medical professionals, counsellors or others.
He urged residents to report any form of violence in their homes at once.
(Edited by V. Graham)