The County Government of Nakuru has launched a new initiative for collecting data on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
The initiative, which is in partnership with the Luthanian Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (Vilnius CCIC), aims at developing a SGBV management and information system to capture and integrate Gender Based Violence data from the National Police Service, the Judiciary, the Office of Director of Public Persecution, and the Health and Education sectors.
Speaking during its inauguration, Deputy Governor Dr David Kones indicated that the system was tailored to enhance response mechanisms and ensure justice for victims, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), was effectively addressed and served in time.
Vilnius CCIC is a network of Lithuanian business representatives and community that unites almost 500 Lithuanian companies from different business sectors.
Dr Kones said reported cases from the police department, treated cases of SGBV in hospitals, and prosecuted cases in the office of the director of public prosecution will provide the source of data to be collected and compiled in the system.
SGBV Data collected from these five key sectors will then inform policies and effectively evaluate the framework for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in Nakuru.
Kenya is one of the most progressive countries in the region when it comes to legal and policy frameworks in the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
The 2010 Constitution contains expansive provisions regarding human rights, reinforced by the Sexual Offences Act 2006, the Children’s Act 2001, and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2011.
Despite there being very few gaps concerning legal norms in protecting women and girls from violations, it remains difficult to effectively evaluate the impact of these laws and policies.
Dr. Kones said the system would give Kenyans more credible data, to help quantify and qualify problems, inform policies, and design programmes based on evidence.
SGBV remains a widespread issue in Kenya, affecting both men and women. Data shows 34 percent of women and 36 percent of men who have ever had an intimate partner have faced economic, psychological, physical or sexual violence.
In Nakuru County, 31 percent of married women have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Despite these figures, underreporting remains a challenge due to stigma, fear and limited access to support services.
Official records indicate that last year, Nakuru recorded 1,357 cases of sexual and gender-based violence, though experts warn the actual numbers are likely much higher. PWDs are particularly vulnerable, with global estimates indicating they are twice as likely to experience violence. In Kenya, 67 percent of women with disabilities have reported abuse, often from caregivers or intimate partners.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that the new platform also provides a confidential reporting channel, allowing survivors to file cases anonymously, access medical and legal aid, and track their progress through the justice system. It also features specialized accessibility tools for PWDs, including screen readers, sign language video guides, and simplified reporting forms.
Dr. Kones termed the system a game changer in the county’s fight against SGBV, insisting “this platform will strengthen data collection, improve coordination, and ensure survivors receive the support and justice they deserve. GBV affects women, men, and PWDs, and our response must be inclusive,” he said.
Mr. Kones noted that the initiative aligns with Kenya’s National Policy on Prevention and Response to GBV (2014) and the Sexual Offences Act (2006), which criminalizes all forms of sexual violence. It also supports Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which seeks to eliminate GBV and promote gender equality by 2030.
He stated that the system builds on existing county efforts, including the GBV Recovery Centre at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, which has assisted over 3,000 survivors since 2021.
Dr. Kones disclosed that more than 500 law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and community leaders have been trained on SGBV response, while safe houses have been set up in high-risk areas such as Naivasha, Molo, and Njoro.
Despite these initiatives, the Deputy Governor expressed regret that only 30 percent of GBV survivors seek help, with men even less likely to report abuse due to cultural stigma. Many PWDs, he added, struggle with inaccessible reporting structures, further widening the justice gap.
The digital platform seeks to bridge these gaps by making reporting easier, faster, and more inclusive.
Present during the launch were Chief Officers Gladys Kamuren (Gender and Social Services), Alice Abuki (External Resource Mobilization), Leonard Kirui (ICT Director), gender officers, and PWD representatives.
The framework also seeks to substantiate SGBV occurrences by adopting the United Nations General Assembly’s indicators that measure the extent, prevalence, and incidence of SGBV and the county’s responses to SGBV, including policy changes.
Distinct ministries, agencies, and departments at both levels of government collect and have data specific to their sectors, but the multi-sectoral nature of SGBV means that the data is uni-dimensional and therefore unable to capture gaps in response to SGBV and subsequently appropriate responses.
Mr. Kones said the SGBV Information System, available at www.nakuru.org, will enhance accountability, promote justice, and foster a zero-tolerance culture against SGBV.
By Jane Ngugi and Patience Moraa
