Garissa: The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has raised concern over increased cases of defilement and gender-based violence as the emerging forms of human rights violation in the county. Other cases of human rights violations touch on the issues of land conflicts and marginalization, leading to underdevelopment.
According to Kenya News Agency, over the years, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and abductions have been highlighted as the main human rights violations in Garissa County. This is especially due to the issue of insecurity associated with the Al Shabaab terror group. Speaking after opening a new office in Garissa, the KNCHR Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Mogesa stated that the government and other stakeholders are working to address these issues.
Dr. Mogesa highlighted that in Garissa, areas of concern in terms of human rights violations include gender-based violence. The commission has also investigated cases of defilement and community land issues where violations were reported, alongside the question of marginalization causing underdevelopment. He emphasized the need for collaboration between security agencies and the public to safeguard and secure Garissa County.
The Garissa Acting County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring commended the KNCHR for opening the Garissa office, viewing it as a commitment to deepening human rights protections and fostering accountability. Okiring urged the KNCHR to uphold the dignity of all citizens and ensure accountability among state and non-state actors, particularly regarding insecurity and marginalization.
On the topic of forced disappearances and abductions, Okiring noted that security agencies are examining these allegations case by case to ensure justice. He assured citizens that no one would be oppressed, acknowledging that while security agencies have been blamed for such cases, community members have also been perpetrators.
Human rights defender Mukhtar Dahir welcomed the new office, describing it as a significant step in promoting inclusion and equality. He noted that human rights violations in the region are well-documented, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and police brutality. Dahir expressed relief that the KNCHR office in Garissa would alleviate the challenges faced by human rights defenders who previously relied on distant support from Nairobi.
Another human rights defender, Fatuma Badhi, marked the presence of the KNCHR office as a step forward in promoting justice, accountability, and inclusive development. She expressed concern over rising cases of gender-based violence, including wife battering, defilement, rape, and FGM, and called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to curb these vices.