Nairobi, Jan. 16 -- Maslaha is being blamed for promoting sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Garissa.

Under this system, elders and the families of perpetrators and victims negotiate to reach out-of-court settlements.

Ms Hawa Abdi, the County Executive Committee Member for Gender and Culture, reveals in an interview with Nation.Africa that the system has become the greatest impediment to justice.

Read: The SMS platform helping GBV survivors in slums get justice

"The elders and the clan where the perpetrators come from usually go to the extent of doing fundraisers to raise money used to pay off the victim and her family."

She terms it disturbing to see many perpetrators roam freely as victims suffer.

Also prevalent is female ...