126 disabled minors have been defiled, impregnated in Trans Nzoia this year – report

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 7 Oct, 2021 10:08 | 2 mins read
Humanity and Inclusion officer Janet Nyangweso: PHOTO/COURTESY

A report by Ministry of Health has revealed an approximately 126 disabled minors were defiled and impregnated in Trans Nzoia County between January and September this year.

The report obtained by Humanity and Inclusion organization also revealed only 18 cases were reported in health facilities and police stations.

It also indicates that Kiminini sub county has the highest number of disabled minors who have been sexually violated.

Speaking to K24 Digital, Ruth June, the program's officer at the international non-governmental organization, said the trend is worrying if appropriate measures are not taken to curb the vice.

Ruth said that majority of the perpetrators are close relatives and people known by the victims of the sexual offence.

"Since these cases are not reported anywhere, the victims do not get justice. This is compounded by the fact that these underage girls are threatened by their violators," Ruth said.

The organization through Ubuntu Care Project has constituted a children's advisory committee to sensitize the public on the need to protect disabled minors from sexual and gender based violence.

In a separate interview Kennedy Ndungu, the Governor of County Children's Assembly said children have a role in curbing cases of sexual and gender based violence in the community.

"We are not happy with this statistics, we feel we have a duty and responsibility in sensitizing the public about the rights of children living with disabilities," Ndungu said.

On her part, Ann Njeri the Speaker of County Children's Assembly challenged county governments to develop a one-stop reporting station to make justice more accessible.

"A defiled minor in Endebess is more likely that she will not get justice because of so many bureaucracies. This will expose them to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections," they said.

John Wanyonyi, the clerk of the advisory committee, said the youngest victim of this violence is a nine-year-old girl. The girl is said to have been defiled by the father.

The Humanity and Inclusion organization is also concerned with the high number of disabled children who have not been registered with the National Council for Person's living with disabilities.

"So far between 2000 and 2,500 disabled children have been registered with the council for people living with disabilities, the rest have not been captured, and therefore they cannot access government services" Ruth added.

Janet Nyangweso called on parents with disabled children not to hide them and should allow them to access all the basic Services.

"Hiding a disabled child is against children's rights, this has a psychological effect in the lives of such children and should therefore not be hidden but instead be accorded respect and parental care," Nyangweso said.