Women senators in Kenya have called for investigations and action following reports that 36 schoolgirls in Bungoma were impregnated. The senators, led by Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, expressed concerns over the protection of children and the safety of girls in schools. They demanded to know why such incidents occur and what measures can be taken to prevent them.
The Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) will engage advocates to help the affected families pursue justice and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Mumma stated that the association will follow up on the matter to ensure the girls receive justice and that their education and childhood are not further disrupted.
During a visit to Malindi Women Prison, senators also called for reforms to improve the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates. Nominated Senators Hamida Kibwana and Tabitha Mutinda paid Sh90,000 in cash bail for a female remandee who had been unable to secure her release. This intervention aimed to support women remandees who cannot raise money to secure bail.
Kibwana called for the implementation of prison reforms envisaged under the 2010 Constitution, emphasizing that inmates retain fundamental rights despite being deprived of their freedom of movement. She noted that some women were serving time for petty offences because they could not afford to pay fines. Over 250 women prisoners had been assisted to pay their fines during her tenure as KEWOSA chairperson.
Nominated Senator Catherine Wakwabubi called for a review of prison reintegration policies, stating that former inmates often face difficulties returning to society after serving long sentences. She also suggested introducing technology-based learning in prisons to equip inmates with skills relevant to the digital era.
The senators further proposed that prisons should have computers and reliable internet services to facilitate virtual court proceedings and reduce the movement of prisoners and suspects between correctional facilities and courts. KEWOSA treasurer Nominated Senator Mariam Omar said the association would assist female remandees to secure bail, noting that many were mothers whose children were left without maternal care when they were detained.
According to Deputy Commissioner General of the Kenya Prisons Service Jane Kirii, women account for about 3,300 of the country's 63,000 prisoners. The Kenya Prisons Service is committed to protecting inmates' constitutional rights and has called on Parliament to strengthen legislation supporting rehabilitation.
Key points
- Women senators demand investigations into the impregnation of 36 schoolgirls in Bungoma.
- Senators call for prison reforms to improve welfare and rehabilitation of inmates.
- KEWOSA to assist affected families pursue justice and provide support to female remandees.
