Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Women's cry over husbands' sodomy risk



A trip to a tipple joint is turning to be a risky venture for men as thugs sodomise them, writes BONIFACE GIKANDI
Women in Murang’a County have raised alarm over emerging cases of husbands being sodomised by unknown criminals. Those targeted are mainly drunkards who under the influence of alcohol are unable to get home early.
A demonstration in Murang’a calling for strict implementation of Mututho laws. [PHOTO:BONIFACE GIKANDI/STANDARD]
Murang’a County has been the bedrock of brewing and sale of illicit drinks and women have many times held demonstrations to push the government to eradicate sale of illicit brews, which they blame for break-up of families and stagnation in population growth.
The incidents have been reported in villages particularly in Kahuro and Kiharu districts where men are accosted immediately they step out of illicit brew dens. Assailants pounce on them as they walk home mostly after 8pm.
Stigma
Shocked by the turn of events, women have opted to provide security to their spouses by picking them from their drinking dens to ensure they are not subjected to the beastly act by criminals.
Women leaders are pleading with authorities to increase police patrols in villages claiming their spouses are subjected to inhuman treatment by gangs but are unable to openly complain due to stigma associated with the act.
They have warned that if police don’t act, they will hold demonstrations until law enforcers stop sleeping on their job as gangs hang around social joints to harm people.
Revelations of sodomy were raised at a grassroots leaders forum sponsored by Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Kiharu branch.
Victims of sodomy, they claimed, are shy in reporting to authorities but open up to their spouses of the trauma they are undergoing after the barbaric incidents.
Kiharu Branch of Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Mrs Jecinta Wangari Ng’ang’a called for investigations to end the vice.
"Women are really agonising knowing their men are suffering silently. We want investigations to unravel who are behind this as it is a threat to the community," said the chairperson.
Last week, women in Kianjiru-ini, Mugumo and Muisho wa Thi in Maragua District protested against incidents of sexual assault after several women were attacked on their way home.
The women leaders while briefing the press after a daylong meeting, recounted how in the past 10 years, they have managed to bring down cases of rape and defilement of young girls by ensuring their safety.
"Now the problem has resurfaced albeit in a different way where our men are now at risk. We are wondering whether it is unmarried men turning to other men after failing to sweet talk women," said Ng’ang’a.
The women insisted that the government must rein in on illegal alcohol outlets. They vowed to support any effort to ensure the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act is implemented in order to restore sanity in the community.
The women said they will use their intelligence gathering abilities to know where illegal alcohol is brewed and sold and want police to act swiftly once such cases are reported.
Jame Mumbi of Kahuro District called on women to support the government efforts to eradicate illicit brew consumption saying women must be agents of change and ensure all evils are reported to the police for action.
"We shall ensure all bars abide by regulations as we know some that open as early as 5am with full knowledge of police officers," said Mumbi.
They said they will support district liquor committees chaired by District Commissioners George Natembeya (Murang’a East) and Mohammed Birik (Kahuro) in ensuring beer outlets operate within the stipulated hours.
Enforce law
Some of the premises have not been closed down despite the new law that requires that no bar should be located within 300 metres radius of learning institutions.
Ng’ang’a, who is a member of district liquor committee, assured women that the organisation was doing everything possible to have all alcohol premises abide by the law.
"We are seeking for your support as we push to have all bar owners operate within the legal framework," said Ng’ang’a.
Murang’a East DC George Natembeya said men are afraid to report such crimes to the police.
All administration and police posts in Murang’a East District, he said, have not received reports of men being sodomised.
"We will launch investigations with a view of establishing the truth as no report has been received by security officers," said the administrator.

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