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{
    "id": 485318,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/485318/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 327,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chepkong’a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1154,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga",
        "slug": "samuel-kiprono-chepkonga"
    },
    "content": "relations. It ensures that where domestic violence occurs, there is effective legal protection and relief for victims who may suffer such violence in the hands of persons who are assumed to be guardians, parents or protectors of such persons. The Bill also provides for the protection and relief of victims of domestic violence. As you know, previously, there has never been relief for persons who have been abused in domestic dwellings or domestic relationships. This Bill now seeks to provide for such relief and compensation. If a spouse, child or any of the dependants in a domestic dwelling place or domestic relationship is in any way violated by the person expected to protect them, the courts will now have a remedy of providing for compensation to such persons who have been violated. The Bill defines what domestic violence is so that it is not assumed that anything is domestic violence, say, when you abuse somebody or have a quarrel with somebody that, that amounts to domestic violence. The Bill seeks to provide for interpretation of what domestic violence is so that it is not assumed that domestic violence is what everybody assumes or imagine it is. It also seeks to define what domestic relationships are. Every Tom, Dick and Harry may not claim that they are in a domestic relationship. This Bill defines a person who is in a domestic relationship. It mentions, in particular, a spouse, a child, or a person who is a dependant of the person who is living with such a person. Part II of the Bill gives powers to the police officers in ensuring that domestic violence is curbed in our country. It gives powers to police officers to ensure that they implement orders of the court and, in particular, to protect those persons that have obtained orders against persons who have been violating the rights of such persons. It also provides that any person who has been in a domestic relationship with another person may apply to court. It gives powers to persons who suspect that there are individuals in a domestic relationship who are violating the rights of a person to now go to court and seek protection for such persons. This Part II also provides for the application of a protection order by a child or a person who is unable, by reason of physical infirmity or mental issues, through a parent or guardian or a Children Officer or the Director of Children Services or a police officer to apply for a protection order against a respondent who is abusing a person who is in a domestic relationship. It also empowers the courts to issue protection orders if it is satisfied that the respondent or a person who is in a domestic relationship has used domestic violence as defined by this Act against any applicant or a child or a member of the family or both, and that order is necessary for the protection of the applicant or a child or a person who is a dependant. Part II further sets out the standards and contents of a protection order which bar the respondent from engaging in any conduct constituting domestic violence. Previously, it was difficult for the courts to grant protection orders particularly against respondents that are in a domestic relationship, particularly spouses. Many a times, they force victims out of the domestic dwellings or houses and such persons then become vagrants from their own homes. What this law provides is for the courts to issue an order against the respondent living with any other person inside that house to prevent that person from interfering with the applicant or the person who is being protected by the courts. Although they may be living in the same house, the respondent will be required not to The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}