Bill seeks to curb violence in families
Ms Betty Kirui, 37, wife of John Kiprono Kirui, too shocked to talk to reporters on September 25, 2012. She ran away to a neighbouring village after her husband started beating her on Monday night. He later hacked their five sons to death, before hanging himself. It is such cases the proposed law seeks to prevent. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- New laws meant to protect people under threat of attacks by kin
Victims of domestic violence will be placed under government protection and harsh sanctions imposed against their tormentors if MPs pass a proposed legislation.
The Family Protection Bill 2007 seeks to have any person who feels threatened with domestic violence secure court orders to be put under government protection.
In the latest case of domestic violence, a 47 year-old farmer hacked his five children to death before committing suicide at their home in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, last week.
John Kiprono Kirui’s wife, Betty, narrowly escaped death during the incident in Saboi village but suffered panga cuts on her left shoulder.
Relatives said it was not the first time the man had threatened to kill his wife.
“There was a time he threatened to cut her with a panga. But I intervened and he also turned against me. I had to escape,” Mr Kirui’s younger brother disclosed.
It is such cases the proposed law seeks to prevent.
The Bill also seeks to give the courts powers to issue orders to protect victims of domestic violence and to ensure such victims access justice cheaply and without any delays.
The orders will bar their likely aggressors from getting into any form of contact with them for the period set by the court.
The Bill also seeks to give courts powers to order perpetrators of domestic violence and their accomplices to attend programmes aimed at reforming them.
The Bill proposes tough penalties for those who breach protection orders including fines of up to Sh100,000 or one year jail sentence or both.
