Kenya First Lady blasts teachers union

BY PPS
Updated : 207days and 18 hours and 37 minutes ago

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 - First Lady Lucy Kibaki has appealed to Members of Parliament to urgently review the law regarding people engaged in rape to make it more punitive because the current laws have not stemmed the rise in rape case.

The First Lady said she was perturbed by cases of rape especially by teachers who are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding their students.

The First Lady further wondered why the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) had not raised their voice concerning reports of increased rape by teachers, especially knowing that HIV/AIDS was now an issue that society must deal with.

“Some of these teachers who are raping our girls know that they are infected and think that they can be cured by engaging in reckless sex with minors. I am extremely concerned that in this day and age the teachers body (KNUT) has not found it necessary to condemn some of their members who have been found to engage in this vice,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady emphasised that Members of Parliament must now see the need to review the laws because the current laws have not been a deterrent to sex offenders.

“How can somebody who is a proven rapist be released back to society. Even 20 years is not enough of a sentence. These sexual offenders deserve a life imprisonment and if need be society should look for harsher sentences for those found to be guilty of molesting our children,” said the First Lady.

She said that the issue of rape must be dealt with urgently and decisively to ensure that the HIV virus is not spread to another generation of innocent children who deserve a fair chance in life.

The First Lady also called on the society to take a proactive stand and mould children responsibly while at the same time report cases of sexual molestation to the police.

“The police department should also move with speed whenever a sexual offence is reported to them. The police should ensure there is a female officer in every station because they understand the magnitude of sexual offences,” the First Lady said.

Mrs Kibaki said that the next session of Parliament should debate the issue as a matter of priority because the Kenyan girl-child deserves better laws to protect her.

The First Lady also said members of the judiciary, especially magistrates, to whom rape cases are brought to should stop treating the matter casually by taking long to deliver their ruling or releasing suspects who are confirmed to be a menace to society.

The First added that even prison authorities should isolate those who are convicted of rape because rapists are a threat even to those in prison.

Comments (7) posted

angela (February 09th, 2010, 9:49 AM)

First lady you are right, teachers have neglected their duties yet KNUT cannot hold a demonstration to change those horrible acts they commit on young girls and boys, all that KNUT knows is to fight for their salaries, in fact they should not get the money they were promised, they dont care about doing their duties, but just feeling their stomachs so that they can get more energy to rape innocent girls, we should in fact lynch such teachers, instead of instilling good morals to the young ones they are at the forefront showing them evil things. I think the first lady needs to push our leaders too especially members of Parliament to be held responsible, they should also play their role and ensure such teachers loose their jobs and get permanent bans to work as teachers. I believe transferring them to other schools is transferring monsters to spread their awkward behavior.

yasin garissa (February 08th, 2010, 10:22 PM)

Way to go madam first lady! these rapist should never have worked with children in the first place, we should vet all teachers and if their behaviour if found wanting they should be barned from teaching for life.

Omolorao (February 08th, 2010, 10:13 AM)

Madam First Lady must be congratulated for being vocal about this vice that is hidden all the time. Kenya is like many is a country of men. Men rule and dominate. Why are cases of under age sex where men are older not taken to court and treated as criminal but instead handled in schools, chief's offices etc where parents of children are asked to negotiate with the criminals? This is sickening. These are criminal cases that should go straight to court. Where one party is influential and can bare upon the other to submit - teacher/student, adult/child - there is a case to be answered in court. Low police capacity to investogate is also to blame. Police men and women may not understand the gravity of the crime and should be re-educated on the Njoki Ndungu bill. More policemen and women should go through formal legal training in order top handle cases better. This capacity is really lacking hence cases are lost due to poor investigative methods they apply. Kudos Fist lady .. Keep up the good work

kaiser walid (February 07th, 2010, 10:51 PM)

Thanks to madam first lady.She has raised a very serious issue that KNUT and Gov't officials have ignored despite the graveness of the matter. I wonder why the so called "evangelist" who are so vocal about trivial issues like inclusion of kadhis court in the constitution are so quite about the plight of young kids being mollested by the vary people who are entrusted to protect them..they are all hypocrites except madam Lucy Kibaki. All kenyan must stand up to ensure not only are rapist catrated but also the evalangelist and other lip service providers ashamed!keep up the good job first lady

Ofuyo (February 07th, 2010, 8:02 PM)

This was long overdue, our learned friends "MP's" are never serious when it comes to women issues. They lack credibility to lead, if a teacher or an MP betrays the trust granted to him by the public, why should we let them see the light of the next day. Some people still believe women are their property as opposed to partners. We need to to have sober MP's and repeal this crude laws.

AnotherKenyan (February 07th, 2010, 6:16 PM)

This a timely and important message to our overpaid, tax-dodging MPs. This is a very important and urgent matter, and they shouldn't have to wait for the first Lady to remind them. Attention needs to paid also on boys who are abused especially by close relatives. Those found guilty should be barred from ever working with young people on top of stiff jail sentence. The law also needs to focus on relatives who sweep these crimes under the carpet in the name of traditions. Well said Mrs. Lucy.

Janet kiriswo (February 07th, 2010, 5:16 PM)

I appreciate the 1st reactions 4rm d 1st lady, it surely shows how concerned she is to the matter n how serious action should b taken to avoid future cases of defilement. This if done as said will ensure taht the immoral of the society will have been wiped out if not reduced by the tym we achieve d vision 2010

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