This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Published on October 4, 2019, the move aims to address the region's low ranking in women's rights and gender-based violence.
According to Njuri Ncheke's Secretary General, Josephat Murangiri, the council plans to formulate a policy that will clearly stipulate traditional dowry rates in modern terms.
"For example, if a family of the bride has demanded that their girl is worth 10 cows, we will stipulate how much one cow is worth rather than leave that interpretation to the parties in the marriage," Murangiri explained.
The proposal is part of a raft of measures aimed at reversing the trend of high incidences of sexual and gender-based violence in Meru.
According to the National Crimes Centre, Meru is one of the counties with the highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence, with women having a 65% chance of experiencing violence from an intimate partner.
The council plans to use its elaborate structures to promote gender equality and address the issue of violence against uninitiated boys.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi praised the council's proposals, describing the statistics on sexual and gender-based violence as "alarming".
He also announced plans to transform Meru Level Five Hospital into a Level Six, seeking Sh6 billion for the project.
