PS Ummi condemns use of Maslaha to resolve defilement cases.
By Musa Bashir
The Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir has condemned use of Maslaha (a traditional dispute resolution) to solve defilement cases and other sexual offences in Northern Kenya.
Speaking in Senior Chief Ogle Girls Seconday School in Habaswein Town, Wajir County, to celebrate the school exemplary performance in the last KCSE results, PS Ummi said as leaders they will no longer arbitrate cases of defilement and rape through Maslaha instead offenders subjected to rule of law.
“We are not going to accept maslahas on criminal matters it’s unfair to the victim” Ummi said.
The PS has call upon the County Security team lead by County Commissioner to help in eradicating this menace and not to allow elders to resolve rape or defilement case through maslaha. Mrs Ummi said that to offer goats or cash to the family of the victim is to deny justice for the victim.
“You as a father will you appreciate your daughter to be raped and then some people seat down say take ten goals and the matter is over?” Ummi pleaded.
On his part Wajir South Member of Parliament Mohamed Adow has also expressed his concerns over resurgence cases of defilement and rape in Wajir. The lawmaker vowed not keep silent as the lives of young girls with bright futures are destroyed. He has promised to fight against the perpetrators of such criminal activities until they are brought book.
“Anyone who attacks a girl or a woman that on is my enemy and enemy of the society and we will fight them and make sure they have their day in court”. Mohamed Adow said.
However, the leaders decry comes barely after three middle aged men were allegedly accused of defiling 18 year old girl in Habaswein last week.
The leaders celebrated Senior Chief Ogle Girls Seconday School and thanked the school management, students and the parent for tbe exemplary performance in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. According to the PS in order to enhance the school performance the national government has granted 5,000 Kenya Shillings to build modern science laboratory. The Girls school has scored mean score of 9 where eight students score A- while last student scored C+ in the last year’s KCSE exams.
