A huge part of the recently unveiled Sh100 million by President William Ruto for safe homes campaign to tackle gender-based violence, has prioritised tents, chairs and engagement with the people at the constituency level, it has emerged

This is contained in a proposed breakdown on how the money should be spent by the Ministry of Gender, which Senator Gloria Orwoba has criticised.

In a press conference yesterday, the legislator said the proposal has missed the priorities, and feels that it should have focused on strengthening gender courts and desks, as articulated in the Kenya Kwanza Women Charter, which she is one of the drafters.

Orwoba said it is laughable that the plan is more about advocacy through the leaders than dealing with the pressing issues, ensuring that the perpetrators of GBV are actually brought to book.

“Having tents, chairs and having a conversation with the people on constituency level is not a bad thing, but I just think that we would have a more effective approach if we deal with the pressing issues through the GBV courts and also through the gender desks,” she said.

Money allocated

A recent memo from the Ministry of Gender to both the National Assembly and the Senate proposes a plan on how the money allocated to GBV should be spent. It elaborately gives a proposed breakdown of the budget areas on GBV the leaders will be targeting.

However, Orwoba argues that a previous Gazette notice on a taskforce for the implementation of a programme to curb gender-based violence mandates legislators to pass a law where the country doesn’t end up having cases in courts for years. “In the same way we have the small claims courts, we can actually curb the timing of any case that we have under GBV that takes up to six months and this can be done with the help of the Victim Protection Board, with the help of the GBV courts,” she said.

Persistently, the legislator says she has continued to encourage all Kenya Kwanza leaders, particularly the women, to keep the focus and not to digress such that they are able to deliver their promises to the female nominees.

Convening individuals

“This is a conversation that I have had with the Chief Justice, and I feel that at this moment the intent of this Sh100 million should be placed more on these particular issues other than going down to the grassroots and convening individuals randomly to tell them to stop participating in this GBV,” continued Orwoba.

She argued that as legislators, the legislation of gender courts such that laws that curb all GBV cases to six months in court are passed should be the priority.

In November last year, the President launched the “Safe Homes, Safe Spaces” campaign as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, committing Sh100 million to support survivors and raise awareness.

This happened as cases of femicide in Kenya sky-rocketed attracting countrywide condemnation. The initiative seeks to educate communities on the signs and causes of abuse while highlighting resources available to victims.

Ruto highlighted the importance of awareness in preventing gender-based violence during the event at State House.

“Our communities need education on the signs and causes of abuse. Awareness is a crucial step in prevention, and we must ensure that victims know where to seek refuge,” he said.

The campaign aims to increase public knowledge of available safe spaces, including toll-free hotlines such as GBV 1195 and DCI’s anonymous reporting number 0800722203.

The government has pledged full support for the initiative, with the President urging all Kenyans to unite in the fight against femicide.
As part of the initiative, the government will also work closely with women leaders, community organisations, and religious institutions to create a positive environment for women.