- Kenya Demographic and Health Survey report (KDHS), 2022 showed that Bungoma is among the leading with high numbers of SGBV, teenage pregnancies and Female genital mutilation.
Image: TONY WAFULA
Haki Africa organization has launched a five-year plan in Bungoma County to fight teenage pregnancies, Gender-based violence (GBV), corruption and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey report (KDHS), 2022 showed that Bungoma is among the leading with high numbers of SGBV, teenage pregnancies and Female genital mutilation.
In an interview with the Star on Thursday, Fredrick Odhiambo, Haki Africa Coordinator Rapid Response, Western region, said that the launch of the project aims at fighting SGBV, corruption in the devolved units, teen pregnancies and FGM.
Odhiambo argues that inhuman vices have been on the rise in Bungoma county affirming with the coming of Haki Africa the trouble will end.
“We have heard Bungoma highlighted among regions that have high incidences of FGM, SGBV and teen pregnancies that's why we have launched the five-year project to help address the menace,” Odhiambo.
He added:
“We shall stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors of human rights violations.”
Odhiambo notes that the program aims to bring all actors on board to ensure that the above issues are addressed adding that the young generation should be guided on how to live and stay with other people.
He said that Haki Africa will work with the police, farmers, health providers and education departments in Bungoma County.
The coordinator noted that the main problem affecting the devolved units is massive corruption in the departments saying that the organization will work with the civil society organizations (CSOs) to unearth corruption in the counties purposely to ensure that residents are enjoying the fruits of devolution.
“Devolution mainly came to ensure that resources are uniformly distributed to the counties therefore we won’t allow a few people to steal public funds,” he said.
Barasa Nyukuri, a civil society organization member in Bungoma County lauded Haki Africa for choosing Bungoma to help in fighting human vices in the society saying that they will come up with a defined work plan that will guide the activities.
“This is a privilege and a big win for Bungoma as the program will help fight GBV, FGM and corruption,” Barasa noted.
Dorothy Adongo, a human rights defender noted that the program will bring actors from all departments.
Adongo called on the residents in the villages to report perpetrators who defile young people and women in society.