By:Betty Luke
Isiolo lobby groups address journalists in Isiolo town. PHOTO/Kilele Media
Human rights defenders and civil society organisations in Isiolo County have called for stronger witness protection mechanisms ahead of the plea taking of the suspect in the murder of 19-year-old Nasibo Tadicha Abdi, saying protecting witnesses is critical to securing justice in gender-based violence cases.
Speaking during a media briefing, ahead plea taking for the suspect in the murder of 19-year-old Nasibo Tadicha, the group maintained many community members were shying away from being witnesses for fear of retaliation.
Ms Tadicha went missing late July before her body was discovered dowsed in petrol and dumped in a pit latrine.
Eight witnesses have already recorded statements with the police and are expected to testify against the suspect who reports indicate the survivor had refused to married off to.
“We struggle to get justice for Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) survivors and victims because witnesses fear retaliation and other consequences after testifying in court,” noted Children’s Rights Advocate Pauline Kinyua.
According to the rights crusader, many cases fail to testify in such cases due to lack of proper protection mechanisms.
“For survivors to get justice, government must create an environment where witnesses can speak without fear,” Kinyua said.
Through a joint statement read by Isiolo Gender Watch Executive Director Grace Lolim, the group linked Nasibo’s murder to a broader pattern of unresolved sexual and gender-based violence cases in the county.
It cited several incidents reported this year involving defilement, sexual assault and teenage pregnancies, saying some alleged perpetrators, despite being known within the community, have not been arrested.
“Our concern is informed by a series of reported sexual and gender-based violence cases in Merti Sub-County that remain unresolved,” read Ms Lolim.
The organisations warned that delayed investigations and prosecutions continued to erode public confidence in the justice system leaving survivors and affected families without closure while emboldening offenders.
The coalition also highlighted the fatal shooting of Isiolo businesswoman Angelina Kananu, saying it portrayed a worrying pattern of violence against women and girls in the region.
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Isiolo Office representative Nahashon Lotaruk commended security agencies for the swift arrest of the suspect noting the commission was in solidarity with family until justice was served.
“We are in touch with the family and will support them until they access justice for their loved one,” he said adding that the commission would not continue watching such incidents happen.
He called on the community to cease from such acts hat he said were not only criminal offences but unfair to the community itself.
“We cannot be a society that nurtures children to kill them. Nasibo’s life was tragically cut short, and we must ensure justice is served while protecting every child and woman from violence,” he said.
Women Rights Crusader Anab Kassib called for solidarity in addressing GBV issues noting violence wwould only be solved by concerted effort.
“Many cases that see the light of the day are those that death has occurred while there are tens others where women are violated, we must all rise up to protect lives and ensure dignity,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Grassroot Disability Agenda representative Collins Ochieng who called on communities to reject all forms of violence against children and women.
“We must all in solidarity condemn violence and take up the necessary steps to ensure justice is served,” he said.
The group has called on the national and county governments to take necessary steps that will guarantee the rights of women and girls in Isiolo.
