The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has urged Lamu residents to stop handling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases through informal “kangaroo courts,” warning that the practice silences survivors and denies them justice.
Speaking during a community sensitisation forum at Kauthara in Hindi Division, Prosecution Counsel Ahmed Mohamed said the growing reliance on informal dispute-resolution methods has become a major setback in the fight against SGBV.
He represented Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Peter Birir, the Head of ODPP Lamu, during the event, held as part of the ongoing Child Justice Month activities.
“Addressing sexual offences through unofficial means undermines years of progress in tackling SGBV,” Mohamed said, adding that survivors deserve due process and full legal protection.
The forum brought together justice actors, including members of the Court Users Committee, who raised concerns about the rising number of SGBV cases in the county. Mohamed noted that children are increasingly bearing the brunt of these incidents — both as direct victims and as vulnerable members of families affected by violence.
He stressed the importance of following proper legal procedures when reporting sexual offences, emphasising that timely reporting and the preservation of evidence are crucial to building strong cases in court.
He also reminded parents and guardians of their legal responsibility to protect children, warning that failure to do so could lead to prosecution.
Mohamed reassured residents that the ODPP remains committed to strengthening child protection systems, expanding community education, and ensuring that justice is accessible even in remote areas. “Justice must reach everyone, regardless of distance or social barriers,” he said.
According to recent assessments within the justice sector, reporting of SGBV cases in Lamu is still hampered by stigma, geographical remoteness, and limited access to legal services.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that continuous public awareness and community engagement are essential to empowering survivors and ensuring they feel safe coming forward.
They added that only by eliminating informal settlements of sexual offences and strengthening trust in the formal justice system can Lamu effectively protect its most vulnerable residents, especially children.
