A Technical Working Group (TWG) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Kenya has proposed mandatory chemical castration for child sex offenders, recommending amendments to the Sexual Offences Act, 2006. This suggestion, aimed at curbing rampant child sexual abuse, was announced by taskforce chairperson Nancy Baraza.

• The proposal targets offenders who repeatedly defile children, with chemical castration reducing libido and being reversible upon cessation of treatment.
• Nancy Baraza, chairperson of the TWG, noted a similar provision was withdrawn from a bill in 2006 due to controversy but is now reintroduced with a specific focus on crimes against children.
• The taskforce also recommends other reforms, including defining femicide as a distinct offence in the Penal Code and preventing survivors from withdrawing GBV cases once prosecution has begun.

A presidential technical working group has revealed that Kenya lacks a standalone law against femicide despite an alarming 10 percent rise in reported cases between 2022 and 2024, with 1,639 women killed. The report, chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, exposes systemic failures in the country's response to gender-based violence.

• Nairobi, Meru, and Nakuru counties recorded the highest number of femicide cases.
• The Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence Including Femicide proposes defining femicide as a distinct offense and establishing a national toll-free helpline.
• Kenya loses approximately 46 billion shillings annually to costs related to gender-based violence, equivalent to 1.1 percent of gross domestic product.

President William Ruto has pledged a coordinated national response after receiving a report on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including femicide, which highlights the issue as a national crisis in Kenya. The report, compiled by experts led by former Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Nancy Baraza, covers findings from all 47 counties.

• The report details the scale and complexity of GBV in Kenya, encompassing domestic violence, harmful cultural practices, and technology-facilitated abuse.
• Key recommendations include strengthened prevention, investigation, and prosecution, specialized law enforcement capacity, and legislative reforms.
• Ruto emphasized that ending GBV is a collective responsibility, not solely the government's, and urged all societal sectors to act.

President William Ruto has urged all Kenyans to actively participate in ending gender-based violence (GBV), emphasizing that the government alone cannot combat the issue. Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the launch of a new report, Ruto highlighted the need for collective action across all sectors of society.

• The president stated that ending GBV is a collective responsibility of all Kenyans, not just the government.
• The Technical Working Group report on Gender-Based Violence, including femicide, was launched, revealing troubling findings.
• President Ruto directed security agencies to respond firmly and professionally to GBV cases and called for decisive investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Technical Working Group has urged the National Treasury to allocate Sh50 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year to combat femicide and GBV in Kenya. This funding aims to establish a dedicated response fund and comprehensive support for survivors.

• The proposed allocation of Sh50 billion would create a National GBV and Femicide Response Fund.
• Nancy Baraza, taskforce chairperson, highlighted the need for sustained financing for survivor support including medical care, counseling, and legal aid.
• The taskforce also recommended investment in one-stop GBV recovery centres across all 47 counties and noted that Kenya loses an estimated Sh46 billion annually due to GBV.

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Technical Working Group in Kenya has proposed critical legal reforms to criminalize out-of-court settlements in GBV cases, including femicide and sexual offenses, aiming to improve access to justice for survivors.

• The taskforce presented its report to President William Ruto, urging amendments to national laws to prohibit informal resolutions for criminal GBV cases.
• The Penal Code and other relevant statutes would be amended to define GBV offenses as non-compoundable crimes.
• The proposed reforms would also criminalize individuals who facilitate illegal settlements, such as family members or community leaders.
• The taskforce emphasized that these changes are grounded in the Constitution, which guarantees rights to life, dignity, equality, and access to justice.