President William Ruto has appointed former Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) Nancy Baraza to lead a 34-member taskforce dedicated to investigating the growing cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide.
In a special gazette notice released on Friday, the President explained that the taskforce would assess, review, and propose measures to strengthen existing policies and systems aimed at combating GBV and femicide.
He highlighted that these issues continue to cause significant physical and emotional harm to victims and their families, who often struggle to come to terms with the actions of perpetrators while seeking justice.
Baraza will be supported by Citizen TV investigative journalist Franklin Wallah, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, Nairobi Women’s Hospital founder Dr. Sam Thenya, Mohammed Washala, Ruth Aura, Linah Kilimo, Edna Ngare, Nobert Talam, Linda Musumba, Anthony Nzioki, Anne Ngetich, Wangu Kanja, Bashir Isaak, Susan Ndanyi, Gloria Wawira, and Seth Masese.
The taskforce will review ongoing cases, collect written submissions from the public, and collaborate with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to fulfill its mandate.
Starlet Wahu.
The group is expected to complete its report within 90 days and submit it to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki through the Gender Principal Secretary.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, authorities have recorded at least 97 femicide cases in the past three months.
Murders of social influencer Starlet Wahu and university student Rita Waeni shook the country.
Baraza was the first Deputy Chief Justice and a member of Kenya’s inaugural Supreme Court after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, serving from June 2011 to October 2012.
Prior to this, she was appointed to the Kenya Law Reform Commission in 2008, where she served as vice chairperson.
Rita Waeni.
In 2010, she was elected chairperson of the Media Council of Kenya’s Ethics and Complaints Commission.
She has also been the chairperson of the Kenyan chapter of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
