Perverts in “trouble” as bill seeks to criminalize ogling

A legislation that will put perverts and sex pests on notice has now gone through the first reading in the male dominated parliament.

The bill sponsored by Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, clearly defines a number of indecent acts that include inappropriate touching and other forms of sexual harassment.

Traditionally, rape, sodomy and defilement were just about the only crimes that were described as sexual offences.

The amendment bill now expands the meaning of indecent act as it appears in the Sexual Offences Act to include an unlawful intentional act which causes any contact between any part of the body of a person with the genital organs of another but does not include an act that causes penetration.

Indecent act will also include exposure or display of any genital organs or pornographic material to any person against his or her will.

Mutua’s proposed legislation further proposes heavy penalties for anyone who looks at the opposite gender lustfully. It prescribes a jail term of up to 5 years for anyone convicted and found guilty.

The bill also proposes that a special police wing dealing with sexual offences be trained.