Kenyans and government officers have been urged to stop discriminating intersex persons and instead respect their rights and support them exploit their potential.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights ( KNCHR) regional coordinator, Jacqueline Ingutia said there are 1,524 intersex persons nationally as per 2019 population and housing census, some of whose rights are being violated due to ignorance.

Speaking at Marsh Park hotel in Kisii County after launching a Ttask Force Report on Policy, Legal Institutional and Administrative Reforms regarding the intersex persons chaired by Mbage Njuguna, she appealed to government officers to offer the persons services they need as enshrined in the constitution.

“I appeal to the media to sensitize members of the public on the rights of the intersex persons and bridge the gap so that can embrace and shun judging them,” said Ingutia, adding Kisii County has 38 intersex persons.

Officers from the Ministry of Education, National Police Service, Prison Department, Registration of Births, parents and intersex persons attended the one- day training.

She noted that during puberty, the persons embrace one sex, adding they abused, discriminated against, stigmatized and arrested by police officers for impersonation, which, she noted traumatized and depressed them.

The Coordinator said the intersex persons are frustrated and some start abusing alcohol while others resort to criminal activities, ruining their lives.