Nyakach: Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma has called for urgent, collective action to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide, terming the crisis a national emergency. Speaking during a community engagement in Nyakach Sub-County under the presidential ‘Komesha Dhuluma’ campaign, Mumma rallied residents, leaders, and institutions to take responsibility in ending the scourge.

According to Kenya News Agency, Mumma expressed concern over rising GBV cases despite Kenya’s robust legal framework against defilement, rape, and emotional abuse. She cited worrying trends, including high teen pregnancy rates, placing Kenya third globally and Kisumu’s lead in teenage HIV infections. Lack of sex education in schools and at home, she said, has exacerbated the problem, leaving children, especially girls, exposed.

She called on elders to champion the development of community-specific forums on sex education to ensure that children are mentored and nurtured to stay out of harm’s way. The Nyakach forum brought together a broad spectrum of community stakeholders, elders, youth, boda boda operators, police officers, chiefs, persons with disabilities, child protection officers, and health promoters, all in a bid to collectively identify causes and community-driven solutions to GBV.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Beatrice Odongo, welcomed the increased reporting of GBV cases in Nyakach, saying it was a critical step toward unmasking the depth of the problem. Odongo noted that the Kisumu County SGBV Bill currently before the assembly seeks to address systemic drivers of GBV, including poverty and lack of awareness.

National Syndemic Diseases Control Council Kisumu and Siaya Lead, Steve Kathaka, underscored the urgency of intervention, citing statistics that place Kisumu at the top nationally for HIV infections and teenage pregnancies, both linked to GBV. Kathaka further attributed the county’s high HIV prevalence to underlying issues such as GBV and rising teenage pregnancies.

Nyakach Council of Elders Chair George Arogo admitted past silence from traditional leaders and pledged to use community barazas to raise awareness. David Ocheo from the National Gender and Equality Commission called for increased male involvement in the fight against GBV.