Kenya Launches Taskforce to Tackle Gender-Based Violence Amid Rising Femicide Cases

The Kenyan Judiciary has unveiled a specialized Taskforce to address the alarming surge in gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, a move hailed as both “timely and urgent” by key stakeholders.

The launch comes as Kenya faces a disturbing rise in brutal attacks against women and girls, despite constitutional guarantees and international commitments to protect human rights. According to reports, femicide cases have sharply increased in recent months, sparking widespread public outrage.

Challenges in Combating SGBV

While sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is outlawed under Kenyan law, its normalization in domestic spaces and reinforcement by cultural, religious, and kinship traditions continue to hinder justice efforts.

In response, the Judiciary introduced the STAJ SGBV Strategy 2023–2030, aimed at creating a trauma-responsive, survivor-centered judicial process. A key innovation under this strategy is the rollout of specialized Gender Justice Courts, first piloted in Shanzu in 2022, and now expanded to 12 counties across Kenya.

Key Reforms and Initiatives

• Gender Justice Courts: Designed to minimize revictimization, ensure fair trials, and reduce case backlogs. Plans are underway to establish at least one court in every county.
• Automation of the Convicted Sexual Offenders Electronic Register: In line with the Sexual Offences Act, 2006.
• Proposal for a Victim Protection Fund: Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for amending the Victim Protection Act, 2014 to mirror Sweden’s model, funded through court-imposed fines.
• One-Stop Centres: Planned facilities integrating health, legal, psychosocial, and protection services for survivors.

Resource Constraints and the Way Forward

Despite the momentum, resource constraints threaten the expansion of these critical reforms. The Judiciary has proposed dedicated budget allocations to ensure that survivor-centered reforms are effectively implemented nationwide.

Leading the new Taskforce is Lady Justice (Dr.) Nancy Baraza, who has been tasked with developing practical, sustainable solutions and collaborating with existing SGBV-focused committees to streamline efforts.

“We must build a justice system that listens, responds, and restores dignity to survivors,” Chief Justice Koome emphasized during the Taskforce launch.

With these new measures, Kenya hopes to turn the tide against gender-based violence and set a precedent for survivor-centered judicial reforms in Africa.

For more detailed insights, visit the official Judiciary announcement here.