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Most defilement cases in Kisumu County have failed to reach the justice system due to lack of proper police personnel to handle the cases.

Caroline Kambona who works at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) gender-based violence recovery centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital said legal justice for the victims is a major challenge.

Kambona said they offer medication at the centre to the victims but finding justice has been a problem. She however lauded the government for setting up a government chemist's office at the referral hospital.

“The government chemist is within the hospital but no officer to take reports there for further action. It is not our duty to do that,” she said.

Speaking in Kisumu on Friday during a media briefing by the Kenya Girl Guides Association on the voices against violence project, Kambona said rampant transfer of police officers occasionally hampers the justice system for the victims.

She said police officers who have been trained on how to handle gender based violence cases are normally transferred. Kambona said the transfers always break the cycle on how to combat gender based violence in the society.

“It is very expensive and time consuming to train another set of officers,” she said.

Voices Against Violence Project is being implemented in the 49 selected schools in Kisumu East Constituency.