Are courts and police the weak link in fight against GBV?
Nakuru Chief Officer Gender, Gladys Kamuren (left) and Assumpta Wangui during the march marking 16days of activism on November 25, 2024.
Nakuru county’s Gender Chief Officer Gladys Kamuren has called out the courts for what she terms as ‘a slow pace’ in which Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases are handled.
The County leader says, that while the Gender department forwards many cases to the police, which ultimately make it to the courts, many drag in the corridors of justice for years.
“As a department, we have presented numerous cases to the courts. However, we never really get to have a clear direction of the progress of the cases. We want the courts to employ speed, when dealing with cases of GBV,” she says.
Protestors at the Nakuru Central Police station on November 25, 2024.
Assumpta Wangui, an opinion leader in Nakuru County also notes that there is need for the investigations into GBV cases and prosecution of the perpetrators to be fast tracked.
“As we mark the 16 days of activism, I would like to remind the investigative and judicial authorities that they have been given the responsibility to seek justice for the victims and survivors. Let them do their job effectively,” Ms Wangui says passionately.
The opinion leader, also handed over a petition to the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Police highlighting the cases of GBV and Femicide in Nakuru County, imploring them to take action.
Protestors at the DCI offices in Nakuru city on November 25, 2024.
Another resident, James Macharia, adds that a delay of justice gives future perpetrator room to attack as they feel ‘nothing will be done to them’
“When the involved parties are held culpable for their actions, it also helps the survivors to heal with time, as opposed to seeing the person back in the community,” he states.
The 16 days of activism will culminate on December 10.