Kisumu: The government has sounded the alarm over persistently high cases of child defilement in the Nyanza region, warning that sexual violence against minors is driving teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and new HIV infections. Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa revealed that the figures have remained stubbornly high, with an average of 70 cases reported every month across the region's six counties.

According to Kenya News Agency, the figure can reach up to 100 in some months, highlighting the widespread abuse in the region. Mworoa addressed the issue during the inaugural Seme Sub-county Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kisumu, where she stated that the crisis is directly linked to rising teenage pregnancies, which pose a threat to the health, education, and future of minors.

During last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, 254 girls were reported to have sat their exams while pregnant or shortly after giving birth, with some taking their exams from hospital beds. Mworoa emphasized that these pregnancies are a direct outcome of defilement and noted that perpetrators are often known to the victims, including parents and close relatives.

The Regional Commissioner also highlighted the connections between defilement, rape, drug abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, stressing that most perpetrators are adult men who often commit assaults without protection, exposing victims to HIV and other infections. She noted that cases like sodomy often go unreported due to stigma, worsening the situation.

Mworoa called for collective responsibility, emphasizing that the crisis could not be solved by the government alone. Seme Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. James Nyikal criticized the existence of kangaroo courts where parents negotiate with perpetrators to cover up crimes. He warned communities against settling defilement and rape cases outside the law, citing the Sexual Offences Act and the Children Act.

Nyanza Regional Director of Children Services Beatrice Obutu highlighted the vulnerability of children in the region, particularly in Seme Sub-County, due to their large numbers. She stressed the importance of community involvement in protecting children and warned against cultural practices that expose them to harm.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender Beatrice Odongo attributed the rise in SGBV cases to factors such as poverty, limited access to information and education, indiscipline, and risky behavior among youth. She encouraged parents to lead behavior change and noted that the high numbers in Seme could reflect better reporting rather than a uniquely high incidence.

Nyanza Regional Police Commander Evelyn Nyamohanga pointed out that kangaroo courts weaken the fight against crime, as cases often do not reach court due to lack of evidence. She called for sustained cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for survivors.

Seme Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Elizabeth Owendi highlighted a recent case involving a school-going girl who was taken from home by a man planning to move her to Nairobi. She questioned whether such incidents stem from ignorance of the law, harmful cultural norms, or deliberate disregard for children's rights.

The conference, themed 'From Coordination to Action: Strengthening Local Systems Against SGBV in Seme Sub-county,' aimed to chart a coordinated response to the crisis. Owendi stated that resolutions from the forum would guide practical actions to curb defilement, teenage pregnancies, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence in the sub-county.