Police in Garissa warned against obstructing gender-based violence investigations
Nominated MP Ummulkheir Harun urged stakeholders to unite in combating the rising cases of GBV in Garissa, expressing concern over survivors being silenced, shamed, or ignored.
Garissa Township Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring has issued a stern warning to police officers against delaying or interfering with investigations into gender-based violence (GBV) cases.
Speaking at the launch of the Komesha Dhuluma campaign in Garissa town, Okiring emphasised that the government will take strict legal action against any officers found obstructing justice for GBV survivors.
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"I want to caution officers who delay Justice for GBV victims and sometimes interfere with investigations, that the government will arrest them and take them to court," he warned.
He told security officers tasked with handling GBV cases to expedite investigations to avoid loss of evidence and witnesses.
Garissa Township Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
Nominated MP Ummulkheir Harun urged stakeholders to unite in combating the rising cases of GBV in Garissa, expressing concern over survivors being silenced, shamed, or ignored.
"This must stop. We demand justice, dignity, and safety. It's time to act against the vice," she insisted.
She expressed hope that the Komesha Dhuluma campaign will activate grassroots dialogue to address the rising cases of femicide.
According to Hawa Abdi Sahal, the Garissa County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Social Services, Sports and Youth, the Komesha Dhuluma campaign was necessary in Garissa due to high prevalence cases of GBV in the region.
"Over 40 per cent of GBV survivors in Garissa are girls under 18, we cannot ignore this. The campaign is a wake-up call, and we must all arise to confront GBV," she said.
She urged parents to report cases of GBV to chiefs, police and the GBV hotlines without involving community elders for an alternative justice system.
Garissa County Director for Gender, Zeitun Aden, revealed that the county's GBV technical and working group recorded 102 cases of GBV, calling for the need to reduce and eradicate GBV through the Komesha Dhuluma campaign.
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