Make rape, domestic violence capital offences, public urges By Charles Muasya Rape, defilement and domestic violence should be charged under the capital offences, members of public have told the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC).
During a public session held by the committee in Kitui on Thursday, residents said the offences are cross-cutting issues that deserve severe penalties. On death sentence, most residents said it should be abolished while life sentence should be replaced with a long sentence spanning between 30 and 40 years.
They said some of those on death row were convicted on fabricated charges and a long sentence is desirable to give the convicts chance to reform and help build the nation in other capacities after completion of sentences.
“Defilement, rape and domestic violence leave the victims stigmatised for life hence need to classify the charges as capital offences due to magnitude of the offence,” said Kitui Probation Officer Koki Mwova. Kitui programme officer for girl child project Christine Vethi said: “The girl child is in danger given the rampant cases of defilement cases in our courts.”
POMAC vice chair Regina Saira Boisabi said the committee had collected views from 27 counties on defilement, incest, rape and domestic violence issues and it will make a concrete decision after completion of the public hearings on capital punishment.
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