Church women in Nandi sensitised on human rights violation

An independent human rights mechanism organisation dubbed ‘Tweguu Akase’ championing for human rights for the community in Nandi has sensitized church women on how to go about violation of human rights in a bid to enable them fight gender-based violence in the locality as well as ensure justice for the victims.

The organisation which was established as a grievance mechanism in 2023 by Eastern Produce Kenya Company Limited, provides a safe and accessible way for employees and the surrounding community to report grievances related to gender-based violence, sexual harassment, assault, defilement, rape, domestic violence, child labour and child maintenance.

Speaking during a social event held at Chemomi wetland garden that brought together Seventh Day Adventist women (SDA) drawn from Nandi Hills, Isaac Owondo an advocate at the Tweguu Akase revealed that the objective of the organisation is to ensure residents as well as workers in the tea estates understand their rights and that they have a platform that they can present the issues affecting them such as sexual harassment, domestic violence defilement and rape among others to ensure they get justice.

 Owondo divulged that their organisation receives grievances and starts working on them at zero cost calling on residents to come out fearless and report such bad habits to save the modern community where we are experiencing an upsurge of such incidents rather than solving such cases in the kangoroo courts adding that most cases are never solved in a fair manner.

“Cases against human rights such as gender-based violence, sexual harassment, rape and defilement should strictly not be solved outside court. They greatly affect and tarnish the victims’ lives,” pointed out Owondo, adding that such incidents lower one’s self-esteem.

Josphine Moturi one of the officials of the organisation regretted that most crimes against human rights affects females and children adding that it’s time women and ladies speak out without fear and ensure justice is served.

Moturi who took the women through a step-by-step process of reporting crimes against human rights noted that their office offers services 24 hours calling on them to contact them through a toll-free number (0800721815 or 0113479693) or email: independent@tweguuakase.co.ke.

“‘Tweguu Akase’ is a Kalenjin phrase that means talk to me I am listening. Our organisation is ready to listen to you and present your cases in court free of charge. As women you should speak up. Crimes recur because we don’t speak up. Ensure justice above everything. Do not fear to seek justice through our independent human rights mechanism,” explained Moturi divulging that they have a private investigator who does a thorough investigation of cases presented at their office before presenting them to court.

According to Moturi, in an effort to sensitize the locals they have a program of going to schools and churches to educate people on their rights and how to ensure their grievances are heard and addressed in an amicable way that will ensure justice is served.