On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya, joined other key stakeholders for a public participation exercise on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. The Speaker was accompanied by Minority Leader Hon. Alex Nganga (Miambani), Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Erastus Musyoka Mbuno (Endau/Malalani), Township MCA Hon. Daniel Ngoima Kimanzi, Hon. Daniel Kimanzi Muange (Tseikuru), Hon. Frida Maua (Nominated), Hon. Martha Makumi (Nominated), and Hon. Charity Mwangangi (Nominated).
The forum, held under the leadership of the National Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (NTWG-GBV), was spearheaded by the group’s Vice Chair, Dr. Sam Thenya. The exercise, held at Kitui Multi-Purpose Hall, brought together participants from all eight sub-counties of Kitui to share their views on addressing GBV and related issues.
In his address, Speaker Kinengo emphasized the need for full implementation of existing gender laws. He called for enhanced civic education at the grassroots level to sensitize the public on GBV issues and reporting mechanisms. He further noted that the County Assembly is ready to domesticate any new laws enacted at the national level.
Dr. Thenya thanked the participants and assured them that their views would be incorporated into the final report to be submitted to H.E. the President. “Your input adds value to the proposals we will present,” he said. He also urged the Speaker to allocate more resources through the county budget to support GBV-related interventions.
The NTWG-GBV is a government-led initiative that collaborates with UN agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations to enhance Kenya’s response to GBV. It has played a vital role in establishing County GBV Technical Working Groups and promoting accountability frameworks at the county level. The group was established in response to increasing cases of GBV and femicide, which violate fundamental human rights including the rights to life, dignity, equality, and security.
Also present at the event were Kitui County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto; NTWG members Dr. Edina Kerubo and Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK); David Mburu, Chief Magistrate, Kitui Law Courts among other senior national and county leaders.
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