Cabinet approves Presidential Working Group to tackle femicide

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a presidential working group tasked with developing a comprehensive approach to combat gender-based violence.

A Cabinet memo stated that the team would be gazetted with clear terms of reference and given 90 days to deliver actionable recommendations.

Speaking at State House after a meeting with women leaders, President William Ruto reiterated his administration's commitment to ending gender-based violence.

"Matters of psychological support and safe spaces for women and children are a priority in my office," he stated.

The president announced the allocation of Sh100 million to the Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign, which kicked off with 16 days of activism that started on November 25, 2024.

Recent cases of femicides, such as the discovery of women's bodies in body bags at dump sites and fatal matrimonial disputes, have shocked the nation.

The National Police Service reports that 97 women lost their lives between August and October this year alone.

"Gender-based violence is tragic and unacceptable," President Ruto said, referencing a report by the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights.

The working group will engage stakeholders, including religious leaders, parents, schools, and security agencies, to identify gaps in enforcement, legal frameworks, and societal values that perpetuate gender-based violence.

The president also highlighted the dangers of social media as a tool for exploitation. "Social media has become a dangerous avenue for exploitation. I urge young people to treat strangers on these platforms with caution."

To strengthen support structures, gender desks in police stations will be enhanced, and similar services will be introduced in hospitals. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to act swiftly to hold perpetrators accountable.

"I urge every Kenyan to join this movement. A strong family is the first line of defence against the dangers lurking in society," Ruto said.

Experts have long pointed to patriarchal views and insufficient legal protections as major factors contributing to Kenya's high rates of gender-based violence.

A report by the Gender Violence Recovery Centre revealed that one in three Kenyan women experience abuse by the age of 18, often at the hands of intimate partners or male family members