GARISSA: Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has expressed grave concerns over an uptick in cases of sexual violence, including gang rape, sodomy, and other sex-related crimes, within the county. Speaking at the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Garissa primary school grounds, Jama highlighted the unprecedented nature of these incidents in the predominantly Muslim community and announced collaborative efforts with stakeholders and security teams to combat these crimes.
According to Kenya News Agency, county Gender CEC Hawa Sahal reported seven sodomy cases this year, with many more suspected to be unreported. Currently, Garissa courts are handling 51 active cases related to rape, sodomy, and gender-based violence. Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo emphasized the commitment of security agencies to address these crimes, warning that offenders will face strict legal consequences. Mwabudzo criticized the misuse of the Maslah system, a traditional conflict resolution method, and called for structured guidelin
es to prevent exploitation by certain elders.
Mwabudzo also condemned child marriages, labeling them as outdated and detrimental to the progress of girls in education and personal development. He vowed to take legal action against those who engage in or facilitate child marriages, highlighting the issue’s impact on young girls’ futures when they are married and divorced at a young age, often without completing their education.
The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) reported that 691 children aged 10 to 19 become pregnant daily in Kenya. Additionally, about 1.4 million Kenyans live with HIV, with 40 percent of these individuals being adolescents and young adults between 15 and 25 years old.
