Break the silence, says DCI director on rising violence

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti has waded in to the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) during this time the country is battling Covid-19.

The DCI, in the department’s twitter handle, said they are concerned with the rising cases of GBV.

“Let’s break the silence. Staying at home should not mean exposing one at risk. Let’s stand up within, speak out and say no to domestic violence. We wish to Kinoti urged Kenyans to stand up and break the silence on domestic violence. and that those found to have engaged in domestic violence will face the law accordingly” the DCI tweeted.

TOLL FREE NUMBER

The DCI pointed out offences that emanate from domestic violence including murder contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code, causing grievous harm contrary to Section 234 of the Penal Code and assault causing actual bodily in contravention of Section 251 of the penal code.

He also enumerated sexual assault contrary to section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act as another GBV offence.

“We, therefore, advice anyone experiencing such violence to report at the nearest police station or call GBV toll free number 1195,” he said.

The law defines domestic violence as violence against that person, or a threat of violence or imminent danger to that person with whom that person is with, or has been in a domestic relationship.

It further states that one is deemed to be in a domestic relationship with another person if the person is married to that other person, or has previously been married to that other person.

The statement by the DCI comes after a section of women's rights organizations last month appealed to the government to set aside at least 30 per cent of the Covid-19 emergency response fund to address GBV prevention and response strategy in the country.

The civil rights group, in a statement, raised concerns that the pandemic has magnified the structural violence and inequalities that the most vulnerable, including women, youth and children and Persons living with Disability continue to endure even in normal circumstances.

Various reports have indicated that the rate of GBV have increased tremendously across the country in the past two months.

A report by the National Council on the Administration of Justice last month also showed that cases of rape have increased significantly.

Last week, Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida-Kenya) released a report indicating Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa counties led in GBV during this Covid-19 pandemic period.

Other counties that have so far recorded rising numbers of GBV cases according to the report include; Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Taita Taveta, Vihiga, Bungoma, Lamu, Siaya, Kitui and Nakuru counties.

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

The Fida-Kenya report indicated that majority of the reported cases are mostly intimate partner violence.

“Nairobi and Kisumu have recorded high numbers of intimate partner violence, defilement and rape. Widow eviction and physical violence by in-laws is mostly prevalent in the Western region,” the report indicates.

According to the lawyers, the many hours spent with abusive partners is exposing women and girls to more episodes of abuse.

“Covid-19 has had the implication of taking away the options of women and girls in abusive relationships escaping to relative’s upcountry for their safety due to restrictions on movement that have been imposed by the government to contain the spread of the virus,” read part of the statement.

Between April 15 and May 3, 289 cases have been reported to the institution, with child custody and maintenance cases topping the list at 117, while GBV follow with 81 cases.