Garissa governor Ali Korane. Maslah tradition has been blamed for the rise in defilement cases in Garissa county. [Photo/the-star,co.ke]
A traditional method of conflict resolution known as Maslah is the biggest hurdle in the fight against child defilement that is on the rise in Garissa county, a senior children's official has said.
County children's affairs boss Mohamed Abdi Hussein said children have been defiled by relatives but getting justice has been difficult.
"In most cases, relatives have been reported defiling minors in the county. But, due to the culture, justice has not been done to the victims", he said.
Hussein called on residents to drop the outdated culture for justice to be done once offenders are found guilty.
"Communities should drop the barbaric culture which has left many defilement victims with pain. Families should stop defending offenders, if one is found guilty, he should face the full of the law and not hiding in the culture", he added.
The officer assured the the children department in the county will do everything possible to ensure justice is done to minors defiled by adults.