Parliament Receives Petition to Combat Sextortion
In a decisive move to address the escalating cases of sexual exploitation, Nairobi County MP, Hon. Esther Passaris, has presented a groundbreaking petition to amend the Penal Code. The proposal seeks to incorporate provisions specifically targeting the insidious practice of sextortion, which has been rampant in both public and private sectors.
Describing sextortion as the abuse of power by individuals in authoritative positions to coerce sexual favors from both men and women, Hon. Passaris highlighted the urgent need for legislative action. She emphasized the detrimental impact of sextortion on victims and its corrosive effect on public trust in institutions.
Acknowledging the inadequacy of current laws in recognizing and defining sextortion as a form of sexual exploitation and corruption, Hon. Passaris urged the National Assembly to enact explicit legislation. The proposed amendments aim to outline penalties, enhance victim protection, and address the broader implications of gender equality and transparent governance.
The petition received resounding support from fellow legislators, who echoed the call for swift action. Kitui South MP, Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai, commended the petitioner for bringing attention to an issue that has long been overlooked. Stressing the pervasive nature of sextortion across social strata, Hon. Nyamai urged the Petitions Committee to prioritize the matter and gather comprehensive information.
Suba South MP, Hon. Caroli Omondi, emphasized the need to criminalize sextortion and ensure avenues for civil compensation for victims. Drawing attention to the coercive nature of sextortion, Hon. Omondi underscored the importance of distinguishing it from other sexual offenses and providing clarity in legislation.
In response to the petition, the Speaker of the Session and Gilgil MP, Hon. Martha Wangari, committed the matter to the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee for thorough consideration.
With momentum building behind efforts to combat sextortion, the proposed legislative amendments signal a crucial step towards protecting individuals from exploitation and upholding the principles of justice and accountability in society.
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