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By Isabella Maua
Gender-based violence whistle blowers and watch groups within Mt. Elgon have highlighted kangaroo courts and threats from the community as the greatest hindrance to fighting the vice.
In a closed-door review meeting facilitated by Kenya Red Cross Bungoma with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the whistle blowers from Kaptama, Elgon and Kopsiro wards reported on their progress for the last quota.
Speaking at Kapsokwony on Monday, they emphasized lack of transparency among gender-based violence victims, putting them at risk while following up on crucial cases.
“Most of the time, the perpetrators happen to be relatives or couples, and in such cases, victims fear speaking out, so as much as we want them to get justice, we lack witnesses and evidence,” said Davine Chepkech, one of the whistle blowers.
According to Annet Chebet from Kaborom, many whistle blowers have risked their lives while following up on cases of defilement and teenage pregnancies since their since their parents had already engaged in kangaroo courts.
“Many parents and especially fathers of these young girls are easily compromised with some cash or cattle to forego pursuit for justice for their daughters, hence making us the black sheep who want to bad mouth their family,” highlighted Chebet.
Drug and substance abuse, as well as alcoholism, have also been cited as the top ingredients in brewing violence among residents of Mt. Elgon, with notorious parts including but not limited to: Chepyuk, Kipsikirok, Kimurio, Cheptoror, Kibundo, and Kaptama.
On the other hand, police have been on the spot for receiving bribes from brewers and illicit liquor sellers,, making it difficult for village elders, Nyumba kumi, and national government administrators to effectively apprehend the culprits.
However, Argwings Otieno, OCS Kapsokwony Police Station, affirmed his undeterred support for fighting illicit liquor in the region, promising to take stern action against any police officers conspiring with culprits.
He called upon the locals to apprehend any police officers found compromising with drug peddlers or notorious chang’aa den owners.
Fred Makokha, Director of Gender under the State Department in Bungoma County lauded police for the efforts they’ve shown so far and called upon whistle blowers and administrators to work with the security team for a fruitful venture.
The area’s Assistant County Commissioner Peter Matundura supported Otieno’s sentiments, divulging that the landlords of illicit liquor sellers will be arrested.
Whistle blowers at Kopsiro, who also converged for a meeting on Tuesday, highlighted prevalence of intimate partner violence and teenage pregnancies, mostly resulting from defilement cases, which are never brought to light for fear of their lives.
“My sister is a victim of domestic violence, but once the dust has settled, she always denies ever being beaten and assaulted by the husband, so we have no basis for reporting or following up on the matter, which is sadly getting worse,” one of the female champions cited.
A pastor from Kimurio in Chepyuk also challenged the clergy to be vigilant, especially in engaging with the youth in churches and at schools, so as to eradicate rot in society.
“Chepyuk ward is one of the leading areas in teenage pregnancies, alcoholism, and drug peddling, which in turn makes us top in gender-based violence. We thank the Kenya Red Cross for their support and hope to continue with more of such forums,” he reiterated.
Evans Nyakundi, Deputy OCPD Kimilili, encouraged the whistle blowers, among them boda boda riders, to vigilantly refer the notorious cases to authorities without fear of threats since they’ll be protected by law.
Conclusively, they were urged to set up meetings with parents in their respective areas of residence and come up with parent associations to tackle the matter right away.
N/B…whistle blowers’ names are not real for security reasons.