Kenya has signed a multi-million bilateral programme between its government and Finland’s to involve the counties of Kilifi, Bungoma and Samburu in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices in the regions.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed in Kilifi will incorporate various stakeholders in projects to combat GBV cases after the Kenyan government contributed more than Ksh. 125 million onto at least Ksh.626 million from the government of Finland.
Presided by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Gender, Aisha Jumwa, the 2022-2024 program is designed to fight against GBV at the national level and in the three counties including Kilifi, chosen due to its unique context and rampant GBV concerns.
Jumwa lauded the combined efforts between the two nations saying that her ministry through collaboration with other stakeholders will ensure a decline in GBV cases and other barbaric practices in the targeted regions and the Kenyan Nation at large.
Jumwa reprimanded service providers issuing P3 forms to stop charging citizens, insisting that the forms should be issued free according to the law
Speaking during the MOU signing, Deputy Ambassador of Finland to Kenya Mr. Otto Kivinen commended the Kenyan government for embracing a step towards eradicating the GBV cases and efforts to achieve gender equality.
“I am pleased to be part of the local launch of this bilateral program and we look forward to cooperation between us and the county government of Kilifi”, Otto said.
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Maitha Mung’aro said that GBV in the region has been a disaster that should be eradicated.
Mung’aro ordered the health department in collaboration with the gender department in Kilifi county to ensure that no one is charged during treatment on any form of sexual abuse in all the public hospitals in the county.
He warned the Kaya elders to end their involvement in the cases against violence in order to give room to the courts to take the stipulated lawful actions.
He said that many a times, most GBV and conflicts cases don’t proceed to hearing because the elders take it upon themselves to solve the cases at family level while preventing the court to perform its duty.
IAN BYRON