Children’s court planned in Meru as SGBV backlog overwhelms Judiciary
Meru residents march against gender-based violence on November 25, 2021. The county records higher-than-average levels of teenage pregnancies, FGM, and physical and sexual violence.
What you need to know:
- The Judiciary has pledged to fast-track a children’s court in Meru to address the backlog of sexual and gender-based violence cases.
- Civil society, county leaders, and journalists have launched an anti-SGBV awareness campaign, pushing for justice, safe centres, and male engagement.
The Office of the Chief Justice has pledged to fast-track the establishment of a children’s court in Meru to help reduce the backlog of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases.
A Judiciary report in 2020 ranked Meru Law Courts second only to Nairobi in the number of SGBV cases filed. Meru County continues to record high SGBV cases, with most indicators above the national average.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Meru was ranked fifth in teenage pregnancies at 24 per cent. County statistics further show physical violence at 36 per cent against the national average of 34 per cent, while sexual violence stands at 16 per cent. The prevalence of female genital mutilation is 19 per cent, compared to the national average of 15 per cent.
During the inaugural Meru Press Club Anti-SGBV and Mental Health Awareness Run on Saturday, stakeholders emphasised the need for prevention and timely access to justice.
“In 2024, we evacuated 28 children who had been molested by close relatives. Cases of children being violated by trusted people are on the rise; this calls for faster dispensation of justice. We appeal to the Chief Justice to fast-track the establishment of a children’s court,” said County Anti-GBV Services Coordinator Judy Kawira, adding that delays in justice contribute to witness withdrawals, leading to the collapse of cases.
Ruth Juliet Nyambura, the child justice adviser in the Office of the Chief Justice, acknowledged delays in concluding SGBV cases. “The National Council on the Administration of Justice children’s committee will take up the matter of a children’s court and will be in Meru in two weeks to discuss its establishment. We are here because SGBV and mental health matters are central to the work we do at the Judiciary,” she said, urging greater awareness of technology-enabled SGBV, which increasingly targets children.
Civil society welcomed the recent development of a national strategy on male engagement, noting it will promote the empowerment of boys, who are often left out of SGBV prevention.
Meru Deputy Governor Linda Kiome said the county is working with partners to set up a safe centre for SGBV survivors. “The Meru government is keen on preventing SGBV cases and enhancing access to justice. We are building a second safe centre in partnership with Shining Hope for Communities at a cost of Sh25 million. Our administration is committed to changing the narrative by supporting community-driven initiatives,” she said.
The event brought together multiple stakeholders, including athletes. Gideon Kimathi, Director of Protocol in the Office of the Deputy President, said the Ruto administration is prioritising the fight against SGBV, particularly through the establishment of a taskforce on femicide.
“The government, particularly the Office of the President, is keen to ensure the recommendations of the femicide taskforce are implemented. We commend the Meru Press Club for using the power of the media to drive the campaign against SGBV,” he said.
The event also marked the launch of a one-year anti-SGBV awareness campaign. Meru Press Club vice-chairperson Dorcas Mbatia said it was informed by the rising cases of SGBV, many of which are linked to mental health challenges.
“As journalists, we have been telling the stories, but the numbers remain high. The association will lead grassroots awareness campaigns across the county, with a focus on hotspots. This aligns with the media’s role in educating the public,” she said, adding that journalists themselves have not been spared from mental health struggles, hence the need to promote awareness within the media fraternity.
