More than 60 percent of femicide cases in Kenya occur within domestic settings, often following prolonged periods of unreported abuse. This alarming revelation was made by Dr. Nancy Baraza, Chair of the Presidential Taskforce on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide, during the National Gender Sector Working Group (NGSWG) meeting held in Nairobi.
Dr. Baraza, a former Chief Justice and prominent gender rights advocate, emphasized the urgent need to legally classify femicide as a separate and distinct crime from homicide.
She argued that this legal distinction would reflect the unique and deeply gendered nature of such killings, often rooted in power imbalances, systemic abuse, and gender inequality.”After 90 days of traversing the country, listening to survivors, families, and communities, the levels of gender-based violence we uncovered are deeply disturbing,” said Dr. Baraza. “Femicide, domestic abuse, and child defilement are rampant — and many victims, including young boys, continue to suffer in silence.”The 42-member Presidential Taskforce was appointed by President William Ruto in January 2025 in response to a national outcry over rising femicide cases.
Tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to Kenya’s institutional, legal, and policy framework on GBV and femicide, the team has spent the last three months engaging stakeholders across the country.Dr. Baraza noted that beyond the prevalence of violence, the taskforce identified critical gaps in how Kenya addresses GBV.
These include fragmented interventions, insufficient funding, and lack of coordination among government agencies and non-state actors working to prevent and respond to GBV.She reiterated her call for Parliament to introduce legislation that defines femicide as a standalone offense.
Advocates argue this would not only improve legal clarity but also strengthen the justice system’s response to gender-based killings and affirm the state’s commitment to protecting women’s lives.
In response to the taskforce’s preliminary findings, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Hanna Cheptumo, assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to tackling GBV and advancing gender equality.“We are fully committed to supporting the taskforce’s recommendations,” said Cheptumo. “Our ministry will work hand-in-hand with lawmakers, civil society, and community actors to ensure that gender-based violence is addressed at every level.”
The push for legal reform comes amid increasing public concern over the frequency and brutality of femicide cases in Kenya. Women’s rights organizations and human rights defenders have for years called for more decisive action, including improved victim support services, legal reform, and accountability mechanisms.
As the taskforce prepares to present its final report, attention now turns to lawmakers and the judiciary to take up the call for change. If adopted, the legal classification of femicide as a separate crime could mark a pivotal moment in Kenya’s fight against gender-based violence.
