Leaders push for more GBV rescue centers in Kakamega

There are increased calls for the establishment of more rescue centers in Kakamega County for victims of Gender-Based Violence, GBV.

This follows growing reports of GBV cases being reported across the expansive county especially during the festive season.

According to the Kenya Health Information System, Kakamega is among counties with increased cases of GBV.

Shinyalu, Ikolomani, Khwisero, Matungu and Lugari Sub-Counties have continued to record alarming rates of the same.

Anti-GBV crusaders in the county are calling for the urgent operationalisation of the Shinyalu rescue center to cater to the growing number of victims fleeing abuse.

The delayed operationalisation of the facility means victims are forced to go back to the environments where the abuse happened and thus exposing them to further abuse.

The county chief officer for social services Brenda Barasa explains that the county has just two GBV centers which are barely enough seeing us one has yet to be operationalized.

“We have the Shinyalu facility which is yet to open then another one is at the Kakamega General Hospital. We need more all around here because the cases are alarming, “she said.

There have been instances where victims of GBV, who are mostly women and children, reported the abuse but had to go back to the same environments and ended up hurt even more while others ended up dead at hands of their abusers.

“The shelters will serve as a secure place for the victims to stay safe away from their perpetrators. Such centers also enable victims receive treatment and counselling for the abuse they have undergone. It also provides for emotional healing from the trauma imposed on them, “adds Barasa.

Kakamega women representative and Anti-GBV crusader Elsie Muhanda notes that it’s impossible for victims of gender violence to make any notable efforts towards recovery if they remain stuck within the same environment.

She is the brain behind the establishment of the GBV centre at Shinyalu.

Muhanda,however observed that many victims of GBV in the county don’t have many options as there are no rescue centres or shelters for them to run to whenever they are abused.

“We have women, men and children who are stuck in their homes at the mercy of their abusers because they see nowhere to run to. And that’s why we are calling for the operationalization of Shinyalu center and the establishment of many others, “she said.