Kenya has recorded 7,107 sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases since September 2023, with at least 100 women killed between August and November 2024.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking during a security briefing in Nairobi, disclosed that Nairobi County leads with the highest number of SGBV cases.

“It is a worrying trend in the security sector especially the increase in the femicide cases which have brought to fore the violations of the rights of women in particular. So far the directorate has finished investigations of 97 cases and other cases are still pending in court,” Mudavadi said.

The briefing comes shortly after the Cabinet approved the formation of a presidential working group tasked with developing a comprehensive approach to addressing femicide.

The working group, expected to be gazetted soon, will deliver actionable recommendations within 90 days of its establishment.

Mudavadi also noted that the Inspector General of Police has created a specialized Missing Persons Unit under the DCI Homicide Unit to tackle femicide cases more effectively.

President William Ruto has also taken steps to combat the rising trend. On November 20, 2024, he committed KSh100 million to the Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign, aimed at eradicating femicide across the country.

In his recent State of the Nation address, Ruto reaffirmed the government’s dedication to policies designed to end femicide, urging swift action against perpetrators.

Civil society groups have echoed these concerns, calling on authorities to bring those responsible to justice.