Meru County Woman Representative Karambu Kailemia has sparked renewed debate on how to address sexual and gender-based violence after calling for the castration of men convicted of defiling minors.
Speaking in Imenti North Constituency during the distribution of sanitary pads to school-going children, Kailemia said tougher measures are needed to confront what she termed a worrying rise in abuse cases in Meru County, which has recorded high numbers of reported incidents involving minors.
“About a week ago we started talking about this gender-based violence. If I am asked, and I have already said this before, those mature men who are doing this should be castrated,” she said.
The legislator argued that many of the perpetrators are adults who fully understand the consequences of their actions but continue to target vulnerable children. She described the defilement of minors as inexcusable, noting that survivors often endure long-term psychological and emotional trauma.
Kailemia indicated that she intends to table proposals in Parliament seeking stiffer penalties for those found guilty of sexually abusing children. According to her, harsher punishment would serve both as retribution and a deterrent.
“That is what I am going to suggest, by the way, so that that man is going to feel the pain that the young girls or the young lady felt,” she added.
Her remarks come amid ongoing national conversations on strengthening legal and community responses to gender-based violence.
Beyond punitive action, the Woman Representative also addressed the issue of sexuality education in schools, saying she has reconsidered her earlier opposition to its introduction. She cited increased access to mobile phones and the internet, which she said has exposed children to explicit material at a young age.
Kailemia said structured, age-appropriate sexual education could help learners understand personal boundaries, consent and how to report abuse. She compared it to religious instruction, where complex subjects are simplified to suit children’s understanding.
She maintained that equipping children with accurate information is a preventive measure and urged leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of minors.
The debate over harsher penalties and preventive strategies is expected to continue as policymakers and child protection advocates weigh the legal, ethical and social implications of proposed reforms.
