Murkomen: Vihiga wives are beating their husbands

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has expressed concern over increasing cases of domestic violence reported in Vihiga County.

Speaking after a Jukwaa La Usalama convention in the county, alongside senior police chiefs and local administrators, Murkomen noted that Vihiga’s cases stand out compared to other regions.

“Gender based violence is prevalent here. In some other areas, it is women who are suffering the most. Here, men are also suffering because there are also women who are beating and abusing their husbands,” Murkomen said.

He further linked the problem to land disputes and inheritance rows, stating: “Because of the size of the land in Vihiga, and the dense population, there are a lot of land related challenges and succession related issues. There are sucesssion cases even to the third generation.”

JUKWAA LA USALAMA, VIHIGA COUNTY

Vihiga County is a rich agricultural county and a key tourism and cultural heartbeat of the Western Kenya Region.

The county is relatively peaceful with minimal security challenges compared to the other 3 counties in the region. However, it has… pic.twitter.com/LZ2cGy17vH

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 6, 2025

His remarks sparked mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans questioning his priorities.

J Dugudichi quipped, “Concerned over trivial domestic affairs while we have a real threat at our border. Our sovereignty is being violated by jubaland forces yet CS interior is discussing.”

Owino Churchil added, “Murkomen should focus on real priorities like Nairobi insecurity, Jubaland soldiers, Medihill criminals, Shakahola criminals etc. Instead, he’s busy giving updates chiefs can deliver. Total disappointment.”

Henry Kamala also weighed in: “How about foreign armed militias on our territory, isn't it more critical, than now telling us about women beating husbands?”

Murkomen’s comments come less than a year after Vihiga launched its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Policy 2024, aimed at strengthening protections for survivors and improving service delivery.

The policy introduced a raft of measures, including the creation of a County Department of Gender headed by a Director, appointment of a County SGBV Coordinator, and training programs for clinicians and nurses to better care for survivors.

“Notably, a court users' forum has been established at the sub-county level, alongside gender desks at police stations to ensure timely and appropriate responses to SGBV cases. The county is also in the process of operationalising a Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) to further support survivors,” read a statement on the county’s official website.