Woman MP wants men convicted of sexual offences castrated

Men convicted of sexual offences risk being chopped off their members or face life imprisonment if a proposal by Kisii Woman Rep Dorice Donya is adopted.

The first-term legislator argues that the current penalties under the Sexual Offenses Act of 2006 are insufficient to deter defilement, rape, sodomy, and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Donya, while addressing Chiefs and their assistants at Kereri Girls High School in Kisii where members of the Young Parliamentarians Caucus convened a GBV awareness campaign this week emphasised the urgent need for punitive measures against offenders.

The event brought together various players in the activism against gender-based violence, including 400 chiefs and their assistants, Assistant and Deputy County Commissioners, as well as members of the Young Parliamentarians Caucus, led by Chairman Gitonga Mukunji and Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri. The theme of the event was focused on ending gender-based violence in the country.

Donya criticized the categorization of sexual offenses in existing laws, claiming that lenient sentences create room for repeat offenses.

“Why should we categorise sexual assault on women? Let there be a uniform sentence and to that effect, we should have a life sentence for the offenders and to have deterrence on the evil acts, those things of men who commit the acts should be chopped off,” Donya said.

Care for victims

The Sexual Offenses Bill 2023, sponsored by Donya, proposes life sentences for all sexual offenses, enhanced care for victims, and the introduction of educational programs to protect and promote victims’ access to education. The Bill aims to simplify justice procedures for survivors and strengthen provisions for their welfare.

Mukunji, assured stakeholders that the caucus would ensure the Bill is passed during its Second Reading in Parliament.

The Bill seeks to solve among other issues the care for victims, understanding of the Act and repeal on procedures for justice to victims.

Okenyuri said empowerment campaigns for women and girls should be increased to reduce violence in homes.

“Much of the gender-based violence cases we witness are due to lack of resources in families. We are endeavoring to empower women for us to succeed in bringing these vices down,” she said.

The Bill also contains the requirement on the Ministry of Education to establish programs to protect and promote the education of victims of sexual violence.  

Mukunji underscored the importance of involving chiefs and their assistants in the fight against GBV. He noted that these grassroots administrators often have critical information about violations such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and domestic abuse.

“Chiefs and their assistants are the first point of contact when GBV occurs. For example, if a mother subjects her daughter to FGM, it is the chief or assistant who can bring this to the attention of law enforcers,” he explained.

Donya’s proposal sparked both support and debate during the convention, with activists agreeing that more aggressive measures are needed to curb escalating cases of GBV. Attendees called for increased collaboration between the government, legislators, and local administrators to protect women and girls.

As Kenya seeks to address its alarming GBV statistics, the proposed reforms and ongoing campaigns signal a commitment to creating safer communities.