MP Aburi: Gender-based violence cases rising in Kisii

Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Aburi has raised concern over the surge in gender based violence cases in the region.

Some of the cases, she observed, were the aftermath of difficult economic times in the country. 

Other factors include the patriarchal structure in society and sexual coercion, Aburi said.

In Kenya, women with low levels of education are also often of low socioeconomic status forcing them to depend financially on male partners thus sparking a strain in relationship that lead to abuse.

Aburi said reporting and handling of such cases at police stations across the country was still not to the best standards and urged for more robust retraining of the officers who man gender desks.

"We have heard of cases where police refuse to act especially when the perpetrators come from their ranks," Aburi told journalists on Friday.

She was speaking at Bigogo area, Igonga in Bonchari where she, and her team, donated foodstuff to the residents.

At least 500 households benefited from the donations.

The donations are part of the larger Donya Charity Mission which has reached more than 10,000 households across the county since it was launched.

Similar drives have been done in South Mugirango, Kitutu Chache South, Kitutu Chache North, Bomachoge Borabu, Bomachoge Chache, Bobasi and, and Nyaribari Chache constituencies.

On Friday Aburi said women still continue to bear the scars of torture due to conflicts at home.

"This does not mean men are not being brutalised by some of their spouses but the burden is still among women. We can overcome this scourge if we put more effort," she said.

Aburi flagged Kisii as among counties with high rates of female genital mutilation. 

She asked government agencies to tackle the vice before it snowballs into an epidemic. 

Former Woman Representative candidate July  Nyanchama who now works with Aburi said sodomy was also on the rise in the region 

"As we look into gender-based violence let's not forget about increased sex-related attacks on the boy child," she said 

Aburi separately weighed in on the spiraling cost of living, saying millions of Kenyans were now hurting silently due bad economy. 

The spike in the cost of prices of commodities makes a mock of the efforts Ruto was putting in improving livelihoods.

"Any upward adjustments of prices of fuel cascades the pain to all other spheres of people's lives," she stated.