Public Service, Affirmative Action and Gender, Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has declared war against Gender-Based Violence perpetrators and those behind the killings of the elderly in Kilifi County.
Speaking during thanksgiving prayers at Ganda grounds in Malindi, Jumwa warned those committing such injustices against women and teenage girls will be prosecuted in a court of law.
The CS who has previously revealed how she was forced into early marriage said most teenage pregnancies and forced marriages occur due to poverty as perpetrators tend to take advantage of the situation to lure young girls.
Jumwa called upon Chiefs, Police, and the county Commissioner to be at the forefront of fighting GBV in the community.
“Any chief who is going to exchange the virginity of a girl child with a chicken or a goat will be held accountable, you will eat the goat and we will deal with you,” said Jumwa
“I am a victim and I Know how painful this issue is and can affect our people,” she added
The CS said she would convene a meeting with the security team and the governor to end the GBV cases in Kilifi and the entire country.
Further, the CS highlighted property inheritance as the main reason why elderly persons are being killed aimlessly in Kilifi saying the vice has to end.
Jumwa noted that the elderly were being killed because of false allegations of witchcraft by the youth so as to inherit property from their dead parents.
“Those who kill the elderly for allegedly being witches I would like to warn you that your days are numbered because the problem is rampant here in Kilifi county,” she said.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mungaro who was present during the ceremony said the county government will work together withy the national government to GBV to an end.
The Governor stressed the need for leaders to work together saying the focus should be on delivering campaign promises and improving the lives of the electorate.
“I told President Ruto the other day that had I not challenged Aisha in the campaigns there would be no woman Cabinet Secretary from the Coast, our political war is what has enabled us get the first woman cabinet secretary,” he said.
