Two pastors arrested for defiling pupil as cases of GBV rise in Embu
Increase in cases of gender-based violence in Embu County have been attributed to poverty and drug abuse.
What you need to know:
- At least 166 gender-based violence cases have been reported in a span of one year in Embu County.
- Official says the cases are just a tip of the iceberg as many more go unreported.
- Two pastors, on separate days, allegedly lured Class Eight pupil to their house and defiled her.
Two pastors accused of defiling a Class Eight girl were arrested on Thursday evening at Makima Village in Embu County. Police raided their house and took them to Kiritiri Police Station for questioning.
Mbeere South Sub-county police boss said the pastors at a local church would be charged if found guilty.
“We are interrogating the suspects and should it be established that they defiled the girl, they will face the law," he said.
The clergymen allegedly lured the girl into their house, separately, on different dates in October and defiled her.
“We have been informed that one of the pastors enticed the girl and had sexual intercourse with her. On another day, the other pastor called the girl to the same house and defiled her," said Mr Mwanthi.
Sexual offence
The girl reported the matter to her parents who then alerted the police.
Mr Mwanthi said the government treated cases of sexual offence seriously, assuring the parents of justice for their daughter.
The girl will be taken to hospital for medical examination and issued with a P3 form, said the official.
Meanwhile, at least 166 gender-based violence cases have been reported in a span of one year in Embu County, a clear evidence of the prevalence of the vice within the region.
Tip of the iceberg
Action Aid regional coordinator Mwachidudu Chimera revealed that the cases are just a tip of the iceberg as many more go unreported.
He noted that despite the prevalence of the vice, no major effort has been made to address the menace.
Speaking in Embu town during a forum for the County Gender Sector Working Group recently, he attributed gender violence to poverty and drug abuse.
He also blamed the problem on a lack of understanding of what violence, rights and responsibilities entails.
Vulnerable households
“Lack of adequate enforcement of punitive measures to curb violence and access to justice to survivors of violence is also a contributing factor to the menace,” added Mr Chimera.
The Coordinator called for a proactive approach in preventing the vice rather than curative.
“Identifying and mapping vulnerable households, enhancement of livelihood diversification and gender inclusivity in economic activities is crucial in addressing the problem of poverty in the society,” he noted.
Mr Chimera observed that failure to address gender-based violence poses danger even to future generations.
He called for a multi-sectoral approach in fighting the vice.
