Meru Women Representative Hon. Bishop Kawira Mwangaza has expressed gratitude to God for the completion of the construction of the Mwangaza gender-based violence and rescue center that will house at least 1,000 persons and provide numerous job opportunities.
Hon. Bishop Kawira Mwangaza is the first Kenyan leader to raise Sh40 million for the construction of a rescue center located at Nkomo Ward in Tigania West Sub-county courtesy of the National-Government Affirmative Action Fund.
According to Hon. Kawira, the original plan was to construct a high-rise structure, but due to the swampy nature of the land, it proved impractical.
President Uhuru is expected to be present for the opening of the rescue center once the final touches are done.
On May 12, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta dispatched government officials to Meru county through Professor Margaret Kobia, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service and Gender, to ensure that the remaining construction work at the Mwangaza Gender-based Violence and Rescue Center was completed, as well as whatever else was required for the center to begin assisting the victims of gender-based violence.
Prof. Kobia met with Bishop Hon Kawira Mwangaza and other government officials at the county commissioner’s office and discussed how the remaining construction work at the Mwangaza Gender-Based Violence and Rescue Center would be completed so that the center could assist a significant number of gender-based violence victims in Meru County.
Chief Guest Hon Linah Jebii Kilimo, accompanied by other government officials, paid a visit to the Mwangaza Gender-based Violence and Rescue Center to check on progress.
Hon. Kilimo was overjoyed and expressed her gratitude to Bishop Hon Kawira Mwangaza for initiating such a project in Meru county.
She stated that after viewing the project, she would send the report to the president’s office with the recommendations necessary for the project to be launched.
“When I arrived and heard her story, I knew she had the determination and didn’t give up. That’s why, while we were at the county commissioner’s office, I told her not to worry because providence would follow her wherever she goes. When she completed her agenda, providence will follow her because he who begins good work on you will complete it,” Kilimo said.
According to Hon. Kilimo, Hon. Kawira spoke on behalf of those who are unable to express themselves. She thanked the Board of management of the ST. Bishop Mwangaza School as well as the Baite Family Fellowship for their unpaid work on behalf of the vulnerable.
“All citizens are accountable to the government, and as a government, we feel we have been slow to respond, but we have arrived today. We will review all of the requirements and begin with the one with the highest priority. We apologize for the delay in responding, despite the fact that you sent us the report four times at our office,” Kilimo said.
“Now that we’ve arrived, we’d like to prioritize the most pressing needs because we can’t wait until Yattani receives the money. We hope to have collected enough money to bring to the resource center before the end of the year. According to the proposal you wrote, we were accompanied by NGAAF officials who collaborate with the ministry,” Kilimo said.
“We want the rescue center to begin operations as soon as possible, even if it means housing two rescued people. President Uhuru Kenyatta has confirmed that once the project is completed, he will launch it,” Kilimo said.
The rescue center also serves as a storage facility for the operation Okolea Kaana Ka Miiru items.
