STATE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN VIHIGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

State intervention strategies undertaken to manage domestic violence in Vihiga County of Kenya remain a challenge due to recurring domestic violence offences. The justice system has lapses in enforcing the law on domestic violence in Vihiga County despite the law enforcement by the state. The study revealed gross human rights violations, perpetration and manifestations of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence against household individuals in Vihiga County. The overall objective of the study examined state intervention strategies in the management of domestic violence in Vihiga County, Kenya. The Specific objectives examined the nature and extent of domestic violence, assessed state intervention strategies in dealing with domestic violence and evaluated the challenges encountered by the government in combating domestic violence in Vihiga County, Kenya. The research was informed by a conceptual framework, liberal peace and feminist theories that were instrumental in literature review, identification of study gaps and compilation of the findings. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research techniques in data collection and analysis. Descriptive research design was employed to examine state intervention strategies in the management of domestic violence in Vihiga County, Kenya. The study sampled 400 respondents using random and purposive sampling. The study sample comprised of 338 Household heads randomly sampled while purposive sampling was applied to get 4 Court Officers, 4 Children Protection Officers, 41 Assistant Chiefs and 13 Police Officers who took part in the study. Closed-ended 5 point Likert Scale questionnaire, interview and FGD guide was employed for data collection. Qualitative data was thematically cleaned, coded and analyzed while quantitative data from questionnaires was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Excel then presented in frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts in accordance to the study variables. Cronbach’s alpha was used to validate research instruments on content and reliability valued at 0.79. The study established that domestic violence was commonly perpetrated to male, females and children in families in Vihiga County. The existing law enforcement strategies and institutions have challenges in providing justice to victims and prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence in Vihiga County. Both constitutional and non-violent conflict management strategies were used in combating domestic violence by the law enforcers and the community. The findings show that domestic violence legislation has challenges due to lack of institutional records, ineffective forensic investigation due to lack of equipment and qualified personnel, corruption, failure of witness to provide information, escape of perpetrators, compromise of law enforcers and community elders during arbitration. Technology, illiteracy, poverty, aggression and patriarchal practices were cited as factors contributing to family violence in the study area. The study recommended Vihiga County Government to effectively enforce domestic violence laws and protocols to prevent domestic violence in Vihiga County. The findings revealed domestic violence was common; lapses in legislation of family laws by enforcement institutions prompting personnel training needs to enhance integrated proactive human rights based approaches for effective management. The government should restructure the legal framework on domestic violence offences to protect citizens against family violence in Kenya. The findings therefore filled the gap on state intervention strategies in the management of domestic violence in Vihiga County, Kenya. The study recommended for the need effective interventions strategies that encompass individuals, community leaders, government officials and non-governmental organizations in preventing and addressing domestic violence in Kenya. The study contributed to state intervention strategies in the management of domestic violence in Vihiga County, Kenya.