The government has raised urgent concern over a disturbing spike in child defilement and gender-based violence (GBV) cases, particularly in communities where children should feel safest.
During the presentation of the Jukwaa la Usalama report to President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on December 2, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen delivered what many in the room described as one of his most sobering briefs this year.
The report shows that Kisii, Migori and Bomet counties have recorded some of the highest cases of defilement many allegedly perpetrated by people who hold positions of trust in children’s lives.
“The big issue is sexual and gender-based violence, especially defilement,” he said, his tone firm but weighed down by the gravity of the crisis. “Most of these cases involve the very people who are supposed to protect these young children. As the police continue to work hard, we want to upscale the fight against defilement.”
Behind the statistics are countless children whose lives have been shaken, and families who now live with confusion, anger and the long road of healing. Officials who contributed to the report said the testimonies they heard during county forums were “heartbreaking and unforgettable.”
Murkomen also outlined other growing security concerns across the country. He confirmed that banditry remains a threat in parts of Isiolo and Meru, even as the government celebrates major strides in previously volatile regions. In Kerio Valley, for instance, security agencies have recovered more than 1,000 illegal firearms progress the CS said is proof that persistent interventions can work.
“We still face challenges of banditry, especially in Meru and Isiolo,” he explained. “But it is an issue we are going to deal with, guided by the successes we’ve seen in other regions.”
Drug abuse, alcoholism and gang activity also continue to destabilise communities. Some of these problems, Murkomen noted, are being quietly fueled by political players who hire gangs for personal gain. He expressed concern that, in some counties, bars have become more common than essential eateriesa sign of deeper social strain.
“Some counties have more bars than restaurants, and it’s making it hard for us to deal with this issue,” he said.
In what may become one of its most consequential policy shifts, the Interior Ministry is pushing for mandatory prosecution in all defilement cases. This would effectively end a long-criticised practice in which some cases are “resolved” outside the legal system through elders or informal mediation.
Officials say the move is aimed at protecting children from further victimisation and ensuring that abusers face justice without negotiation or cultural loopholes.
The Jukwaa la Usalama report, unveiled by President Ruto, marks the culmination of a seven-month engagement exercise held from April to October 2025. In those months, the Interior Ministry held town halls and open forums in all 47 counties, giving ordinary Kenyans a rare chance to speak directly to security officials.
Participants ranging from parents and teachers to survivors of violence—shared raw, emotional stories. Some spoke through tears; others demanded urgent, uncompromising reforms. Many of their accounts shaped the final recommendations presented at State House.
Murkomen said the government is determined to follow through.
“We are committed to securing our communities and protecting our children. This fight is not just about enforcing the law it is about safeguarding our nation’s future.”
As the government begins implementing the report’s recommendations, the message from State House was clear: protecting children is now at the center of the country’s security agenda, and silence or compromise will no longer be tolerated.
