A new report has exposed the shocking extent of domestic violence by Kenyan women against their husbands.
The report, released by a non-governmental organisation advocating for men’s rights, names Senators, Members of Parliament, Governors and Members of County Assembly as victims of ‘serious gender based violence’.
The report by Maendeleo Ya Wamaume Association (MYWA) claims that a total of 13 Senators, 95 MPs, 18 Governors and 346 MCAs are battered by their wives nearly on a daily basis.
MYWA chairperson Mr Nderitu Njoka said the report was compiled from findings of a survey carried out countrywide and concluded end of January this year.
The survey, he noted was conducted through personal interaction with the politicians but under conditions of confidentiality. According to Mr Njoka, these high profile people fear reporting their issues to police for fear of tainting their reputation.
“When we spoke to them, majority revealed they really undergo both physical and emotional torture from their wives. However, due to the position they hold in the society, they fear reporting to police or even telling their colleagues,” he claimed.
“There are others who even go the extent of blaming their young children; claiming that the injuries were inflicted by the children while playing with them at home, it’s sad.
“Its time for men to know that a crime is a crime no matter who has committed it,” stated Mr Njoka.
The report was released days after CORD co-principal and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula filed a complaint of assault against his wife Anne Wetangula.
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“Hon Moses Wetang’ula, a resident of Mahungu Court along Karabon Road in Nairobi, came to the station and reported having been assaulted by his wife on February 18, 2016 at around 9:30pm at their home in Karen.
“He said he had been accused by his wife Ann of infidelity. That is when, according to him, his wife became furious and attacked him. As a result, he said he sustained injuries on his head, left hand, left leg. He was treated at Karen hospital and issued with a P3 form,” a report by Langata Police states in part.
Mrs Wetang’ula was the first to report to the police on February 21 that her husband had assaulted her. “She complained of injuries on her hands, chest and legs. She was treated at Karen Hospital and discharged,” reads the police report.
MYWA wants Parliament to create Gender Crisis Centres in the National Assembly, County Assemblies, the Senate and in the Council of Governors offices. (NAIROBI NEWS)
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