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{
    "id": 1561402,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1561402/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kericho County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Beatrice Kemei",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c), I wish to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding investigations into escalating cases of femicide and gender-based violence in Kericho County. Article 26 of the Constitution guarantees every person's inalienable right to life, regardless of age, gender, and social status. Additionally, various statutes, including the Sexual Offences Act (Cap. 63A), and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act (Cap. 151) place an obligation on the State to prevent, respond to, and provide mechanisms for reporting and prosecuting acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. However, the implementation and enforcement of these laws remain inadequate in addressing the issues. Between July and September 2024, there were 62 reported cases of gender-based violence and femicide in Kericho County. On 14th April 2025, Ms Mercy Chelangat, a 27-year-old mother of two from Kapkwen Village in Kipkelion West, was allegedly stabbed by her husband during a family reconciliation meeting. This attack occurred in the presence of other family members. Ms Chelangat is currently recovering at the Kericho County Referral Hospital, along with two other family members who were allegedly injured during the incident. On 17th April 2025, barely three days later, her husband at Gilmori shopping centre in Kenegut/Kitoi Village allegedly attacked Ms Miriam Chelimo, a 25-year-old woman, mother of two, who was pregnant. She was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital in Muhoroni, where she succumbed to her injuries. Hon. Speaker, despite the severity of these incidents and the attackers being known, there have been very few arrests and almost no successful prosecutions. The continued absence of justice violates the right to life, equality and freedom from discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution. Notably, on 14th February 2024, this House adjourned its business under Standing Order 33(1) to address the rising femicide cases in the country. Additionally, a consultative meeting between the President and women leaders from across the country culminated in the launch of the Komesha Dhuluma Campaign in January 2025 to address the rising cases of femicide and GBV in the country. However, femicide cases continue to escalate, and survivors and families of victims suffer in silence while perpetrators are not apprehended. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following: 1. The current status of investigations into the reported femicide and GBV cases in Kericho County, particularly the attacks on Ms Mercy Chelangat and Ms Miriam Chelimo; and 2. A report on the number of reported femicide and GBV cases between July 2024 and April 2025, including steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure all reported cases of femicide and GBV in Kericho County are fully investigated and prosecuted without undue delay and indicating the reasons for the low rate of arrests and prosecutions in the Kericho cases. I thank you."
}