President William Ruto has established a 42-member Technical Working Group to combat the escalating cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya. The announcement was made through a Gazette Notice on Friday, January 10, as part of the government’s efforts to address the alarming rise in violence against women and girls across the country.
Dr. Nancy Baraza has been appointed to lead the newly formed committee. She will be joined by notable figures, including Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, and Franklin Wallah, a seasoned crime and investigative journalist. Other key members include Linah Jebii Kilimo, a former Member of Parliament for Marakwet East and Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing, as well as Dr. Sam Thenya, the founder of Nairobi Women’s Hospital.
In his address, President Ruto highlighted the growing concern over GBV and femicide, pointing out the severe physical, emotional, and economic toll these crimes inflict on victims, families, and communities. He also acknowledged the gaps that still exist in areas such as prevention, investigation, prosecution, survivor support, and data management.
The newly appointed Technical Working Group will be tasked with reviewing and assessing the country’s response to GBV and femicide. They are expected to propose strategies for strengthening legal frameworks, improving institutional support systems, and ensuring more effective prevention and response measures. The group will also analyze trends related to these issues and recommend actionable steps to combat the pervasive violence.
Through this initiative, President Ruto aims to ensure a more coordinated and robust approach to tackling GBV and femicide, with a focus on long-term, sustainable solutions.
