Public Service, Gender and affirmative action Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has warned police officers against demanding money to fill out P3 forms for gender-based violence survivors.
Jumwa said survivors should be provided with P3 whenever needed.
The CS said she will discuss the matter with her Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki to make sure officers do not traumatise victims by asking for money to fill out the legal documents.
“The law is clear on this and the police should never have this excuse that they want money to photocopy the document. I am a victim of GBV and I will champion this issue until the police comply,” she said.
Jumwa spoke on Wednesday at Pwani University, Kilifi, during the launch and signing of the memorandum of understanding for the Kenya Finland bi-lateral programme on GBV in Kenya.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro ordered all public hospitals to stop charging gender-based violence patients seeking any service.
Mung’aro also ordered P3 forms to be filled for free by health practitioners.
“No patient involved in any form of GBV should pay anything in our hospitals. This order takes effect today in all our hospitals,” he said
The governor said ambulances will be made available to evacuate any survivor who needs emergency medical attention.
In Kilifi, a P3 form at the health facility is charged between Ksh 2000-3000.
Kilifi county gender technical working group co-chaired by the Kilifi county commissioner and Kilifi Gender executive identified 20 high-risk wards for GBV in Kilifi.
The wards are Shimo la Tewa, Chasimba, Sokoni, Kibarani, Dabaso, Matsangoni, Watamu, Mnarani, Mariakani, Mwawesa, Ganze, Bamba, Mlindi town, Shella, Marafa, Magarini, Gongoni, Adu, Garashi and Jaribuni
The remaining 15 wards are classified as medium-risk wards.
Jumwa asked partners to prioritise putting up safe houses for GBV to be housed as they seek justice.