Governor Waiguru calls for special femicide unit within DCI
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru at St Mary's Ngariama Anglican Church in Gichugu Constituency. She called for the formation of a special police unit to deal with the rising cases of femicide across the country.
What you need to know:
- While describing femicide as the most extreme manifestation of violence against women, the governor said a long-term solution to the killings of women and girls must be found.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called for the formation of a special police unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to deal with the rising cases of femicide in the country.
Ms Waiguru said the unit will help in investigating and stopping the ongoing killings of women in the country.
While describing femicide as the most extreme manifestation of violence against women, the governor said a long-term solution to the killings of women and girls must be found.
She said the many reports on the killing of women across the country highlighted a worsening national crisis of femicide.
Speaking on Sunday at St Mary's Ngariama Anglican Church in Gichugu Sub-County, Kirinyaga County, during the thanksgiving service for the area MCA and County Assembly Majority Leader Daniel Muriithi Kibinga, the governor said all government agencies must act quickly to prevent further escalation of the killings.
“We thank the President because he has taken some action and we are also asking for a long-term solution to these issues and a comprehensive assessment of what our society needs. The cause of these killings needs to be looked at so that we can reduce cases of femicide and gender-based violence,” she said.
Ms Waiguru said as we prepare to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, Kenya should not witness an escalation of femicide or gender-based violence. She called for concerted efforts to deal with these crimes.
The governor said other stakeholders in the justice sector must also create special units to deal with the matter to ensure justice for the victims.
Ms Waiguru also urged the police to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to book.
“Gender-based violence has no place in our society, we are hoping during those 16 days of activism this coming week, we will have proposals and solutions that will give us a comprehensive plan that will provide us lasting solutions to femicide and gender-based violence,” the governor said.
At the same time, Ms Waiguru urged the MCAs to shun divisive politics and focus on delivering on their promises to the electorate.
She said divisions among MCAs could affect the delivery of services to the people.
