Kenya's National Police Service is gearing up to prevent and respond to election-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) ahead of the August 9 General Election.
According to Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Tom Mboya Odero, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has authorized top bosses to draft operational plans to tackle SGBV cases before, during, and after the poll.
“Under the instructions and guidance of the Inspector General of Police, we are currently drawing operational plans and reviewing our state of preparedness for the forthcoming General Election,” Mr Odero said.
Mr Odero emphasized that the service has 62 trained police officers who will be posted to handle SGBV cases in various parts of the region.
The National Police Service is working with other stakeholders to conduct civic education and utilize the newly opened Policare centre in Nanyuki, which cost Sh9 million to construct.
Assistant Inspector General of police and director of Policare Judy Lamet said the centre was timely as the country prepares for the election, citing statistics from the 2017 election that 78 per cent of victims of SGBV did not report to the police.
“According to statistics from the 2017 election, 78 per cent of victims of SGBV did not report to the police. Policare is, therefore, a very timely project and I am hopeful it will build trust between us and the public,” Ms Lamet said.
