DNK International The government has raised an alarm over the increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Teso North Sub-County, urging residents to report incidents promptly and embrace peaceful ways of resolving family disputes.
Speaking during a public baraza at Kekalet Shopping Centre in Ang’urai Division on Tuesday, Assistant County Commissioner 1 Amagoro Patrick Powon (pictured) said the fight against GBV requires collective responsibility from the community, local administration and stakeholders.
He urged couples and families to resolve domestic disagreements through dialogue before they escalate into violence and encouraged victims and witnesses to report cases to the authorities without fear.
Powon commended the Nyumba Kumi initiative for strengthening community security and appealed to residents to show the same commitment in eliminating GBV.
He also praised the Western Twaweza Empowerment Campaign (WETEC) for complementing government efforts through programmes on GBV prevention and child protection.
Accompanied by Ang’urai Assistant County Commissioner Eunice Ochieng, Powon applauded the close partnership between WETEC and the local administration, saying it had enhanced community awareness on the rights of women and children.
Retired Senior Chief Geoffrey Olung’ur cautioned residents against settling serious offences involving children outside the justice system.
He said crimes such as defilement, rape, incest and physical assault causing bodily harm must be reported to the police and prosecuted in court.
WETEC Programme Officer Angela Yvonne advised families to ensure survivors of defilement receive immediate medical attention before reporting the matter to the police for issuance of an Occurrence Book (OB) number. She said the organization provides psychosocial support and follows up cases to ensure survivors receive justice.
She urged members of the public to report child rights violations through the toll-free number 611 and GBV cases through the toll-free number 1195 for prompt intervention.
Yvonne said WETEC’s programmes include GBV awareness, economic empowerment, student mentorship, tree planting, beekeeping and supporting adolescent mothers to continue with their education.
During the meeting, veteran journalist Kennedy Epalat warned farmers against selling green or prematurely harvested maize, saying the practice exposes families to food shortages and deepens poverty.
He noted that middlemen are currently buying a two-kilogram container of maize for Sh70 before reselling it at up to Sh150 during periods of scarcity.
Epalat also cautioned farmers against drying maize on tarmac roads because of contamination risks and urged the Department of Agriculture to intensify public education on safe post-harvest handling practices.
He further praised Amagoro Chief Joel Omachar for creating the “Usalama Amagoro Sub-location” WhatsApp group, saying it has improved security through real-time reporting of suspicious activities.
He encouraged Kekalet Chief Edward Osang’ir to establish a similar platform and include boda boda riders, who are well placed to identify suspicious persons and the movement of illicit goods across the porous Kenya-Uganda border.
Epalat also commended the youth for pledging not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to incite violence, describing their commitment as a positive step towards peaceful coexistence.
[DNK-International@July 1,2026]
