A Sh32 million gender-based violence rescue centre is lying idle in Bungoma county because there is no staff to run it.
The centre, located in Kanduyi constituency, was constructed through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
It has been lying idle for more than five years, with the current woman representative only using it as her administrative office.
Speaking to the Star, the Woman Rep's office manager Moses Nabibia said the delay to operationalise the centre has been due to lack of key staff to run the facility.
They expect the staff to be seconded by both the national and the county governments.
"NGAAF cannot employ key staff required to make the centre fully operational and there have been delays from other departments to send staff," Nabibia said.
He said the centre requires a gynaecologist, clinical officers and nurses seconded by the county and security officers seconded by the Interior ministry to be operational.
Nabibia said they have written to both the county and the national government over the same but nothing has been forthcoming.
He, however, said that the woman rep's office had played their part in purchasing the required furniture.
"We have received the first batch of the furniture which we procured and we are expecting more soon," he said.
He further said his office will employ other support staff that are required to run the centre once the other key staff are seconded.
“Our office can comfortably take care of staff like cleaners and cooks, but for others, there are budget constraints which can’t allow us," Nabibia said.
He said GBV victims are housed in the homes of well-wishers, which in most cases interferes with his office when seeking justice for those victims.
Once operational, the centre is expected to help in the rescue efforts of female genital mutilation and GBV victims.
Bungoma county commissioner Samuel Kimiti said that issues of defilement, incest, family battles and drug abuse are on the rise in the county.
He asked different departments to work closely with the security team to end the vices.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
