Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe has called upon communities to join forces to stamp out Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Wang’ombe has cautioned that the country will continue to record high cases of GBV unless each and every one of us views it as a personal responsibility and actively works to address the issue.
“I am appealing to the entire community to make this our problem because it is a societal issue. Do what you can in your own small way to ensure that GBV is brought down and that when it happens, such cases are reported and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” she said.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 43 percent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have experienced intimate partner violence from a spouse, ex-spouse, or boyfriend.
In addition, 13 percent of women and girls have experienced sexual violence, while 5 percent of women aged 18-29 reported to have experienced sexual violence by age 18.
At the same time, the 2020 Amref Health Africa report, dubbed Amref Health Africa Statement: Addressing Period Poverty and Stigma in Kenya, showed that sexual harassment was equally prevalent, affecting approximately 65 percent of women in schools, workplaces and public spaces.
Additionally, a June 2025 report that was investigating the prevalence of intimate partner violence against men aged 18–54 years in Kisumu County, published by the BMC Public Health journal, confirms that men are also victims of GBV.
The report findings showed that 76.1 percent of the 398 male respondents had experienced some form of intimate partner violence.
The findings showed that emotional and economic abuse were the most prevalent forms of abuse, at 47.5 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively.
From the findings, 16.5 percent reported that they had experienced sexual violence, while 12.2 percent of the respondents had experienced physical violence.
Wang’ombe attributed the prevalence of GBV in the country to moral decay and urged for collective action to restore the society’s former values.
The PS, at the same time, warned that stern action will be taken against the perpetrators, adding that the government will not stand by as they continue to perpetuate the harmful acts.
“I think we have lost it as a people and it is high time we brought the community back to what it used to be. This is unacceptable and as a government, we are not going to allow this to continue to happen in our society,” she said.
“When we don’t have safety when our women, girls and even young boys do not feel safe, honestly, we have lost it as a society. So, I am encouraging each one of us to report any GBV case that happens around you.
To the perpetrators, know that your days are numbered; you have nowhere to run to. When we get hold of you, you will face the full force of the law,” she added.
The PS spoke in Kiamwathi in Nyeri town when she paid a visit to 14 families whose houses were razed down by a fire on Saturday.
The afternoon fire was caused by a gas explosion that emanated from one of the houses, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
No casualties were reported. However, the families did not manage to salvage anything.
“We extend our gratitude to our local firefighters who responded fast, saving lives and the neighbouring homes. The families have lost everything, so I would like to call upon members of the community, local leaders, and the church to come together and help these families.
They are already very traumatized and the best we can do at this point in time is support them rebuild their lives,” she said, while delivering her Sh100,000 donation to help the victims.
By Wangari Mwangi
