Taita Taveta MP calls for joint action to hold GBV offenders accountable

Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika Mizighi has called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the public to ensure Gender-Based Violence (GBV) offenders are held accountable.
Speaking during a sensitisation meeting held at the Werugha Multi-Purpose Hall in Wundanyi on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Haika urged local leaders, security agencies, and residents to adopt a united approach in tackling GBV cases, which she said continue to plague the county due to harmful cultural norms and systemic gaps in enforcement.
“Silence fuels this violence. It is time we act together to protect survivors and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice,” Haika said.
The event, organised by the Taita Taveta County and Taita Sub-County Security and Intelligence Committees, was attended by uniformed police officers, government officials, and community leaders.
The National Police Service (NPS), in a post on X, confirmed its participation, pledging commitment to intensifying awareness and support services for GBV survivors.
The Woman Rep’s remarks come amid growing concern over the slow pace of justice in GBV cases. “The Taita Taveta County Woman Representative, Hon. Lydia Haika Mizighi, graced the event. Key issues discussed included the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence (GBV) within the community, as well as the need for timely and coordinated responses to reported cases by relevant agencies,” read the NPS post.

Taita Taveta has seen its share of challenges, with inter-community tensions and cultural stigmas often preventing victims from reporting abuse. Haika said this cycle of silence must be broken, calling for the establishment of stronger reporting channels and rapid response systems.
The meeting highlighted the importance of combining community sensitisation, mental health support, and youth empowerment to address the root causes of GBV. Participants also discussed the role of security-led awareness campaigns, which, according to a 2021 UN Women report, have contributed to a 15% reduction in GBV cases in areas where they have been implemented.
The NPS reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with county leadership, judiciary representatives, and civil society organisations to ensure survivors receive timely support and offenders are prosecuted without delay.
Haika emphasised that sensitisation meetings must translate into action to dismantle the culture of impunity surrounding GBV.
“We can no longer afford to work in silos. Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said.
The county now looks to transform the discussions into concrete steps toward ending GBV and protecting vulnerable members of the community.