Land disputes flagged as major cause of GBV in Kirinyaga

Kerugoya,

Thursday, December 7, 2023

KNA by Mutai Kipngetich

Gichugu Assistant County Commissioner (ACC), Gichugu Sub- County, Chrispin Otieno Thursday said they are receiving land related disputes in their offices on daily basis making it major contributor to Gender Based Violence.

Mr Otieno proposed the use of will and proper documentation of land property saying the majority of the victims affected during inheritance are women leading to the women being disinherited or displaced from their homes.

He advised the parents to organize their respective families in such a way that sharing ancestral land and other wealth will be so easy to the children and the administration.

The ACC who spoke during 16 days of activism against gender based violence running from from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December said, “As we mark this day, I want to say here in Kirinyaga land disputes are major contributors to gender violence. We receive land cases on daily basis and most are affected in process and sadly some end up being displaced from land or home.”

” I request parents who are here to organize their families and children for easy succession of properties even if it means writing a will. The most affected in this case are women.” Otieno said.

 Kirinyaga County government organised a walk from Kutus Town to Kamiigua Polytechnic to mark the day as part of their annual calendar program offering opportunity for individuals and organisations to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The event brought together officials from national and county governments, stakeholders in the health sector as well as gender crusaders within the county.

Otieno lauded the county government for the collaboration and organising such a celebration which act as a public awareness platform on GBV and related cases.

He added that gender based violence is a reality among both male and female and every victim should report to relevant authorities, especially to gender based violence desks currently available in all police stations.

He also attributed the reports of suicide cases that has increased in the county to mental illness and people who keep such challenges to themselves in the pretense of privacy.

Kirinyaga CEC for Gender Millicent Ngari said the journey towards a society free from gender-based violence is far from over, recognizing that gender-based violence is not just a “women’s issue,” but requires the collective effort of all genders. 

The CEC added they have set aside a section in Kerugoya Hospital specifically for GBV offering counselling and physiological services to the victims. The department has also nominated individuals in every ward as gender crusaders to assist in awareness and offer services to those who may not reach specific offices.

Courtesy; KNA