The County Government of Nakuru, in partnership with Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), has rolled out a digital platform aimed at strengthening the response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and improving access to justice for survivors across the county.
The digital system, known as MediCapt, is designed to enhance the documentation, management and prosecution of SGBV cases by enabling first responders and healthcare providers to securely capture critical data on victims and incidents. The platform records information such as gender, type of violation, location, incident details, contacts and supporting evidence.
According to Nakuru County Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Coordinator, Jessica Mung’ao, the adoption of the MediCapt platform has already demonstrated tangible results.
She said more than 10 sexual violence cases documented using the system at Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital (NCTRH) and Naivasha Sub-County Hospital have been successfully prosecuted, underscoring the platform’s role in supporting justice for survivors.
Ms. Mung’ao explained that MediCapt allows healthcare providers to accurately collect medico-legal evidence using encrypted digital tools, significantly improving the quality, credibility and timely transmission of forensic reports to investigators and the courts.
“By replacing paper-based documentation, the system reduces errors, prevents loss or tampering of evidence and strengthens coordination between the health sector and the justice system,” she said.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the platform, Ms Mung’ao noted that the system also allows survivors and witnesses of SGBV to report and document cases anonymously, a move aimed at addressing stigma and fear that often discourage reporting.
She added that the platform categorises SGBV cases into clear classifications and subcategories, including rape, defilement, sexual harassment, domestic violence and other related offences, making analysis and case follow-up easier and more efficient.
Ms Mung’ao said the county was banking on technology to close the justice gap faced by survivors, noting that credible evidence often determines whether justice is served or denied.
“We are turning to technology to close that gap through a secure digital documentation system that preserves evidence and protects survivors,” she said.
She further explained that information captured through the platform remains accessible to survivors, allowing them to retrieve and share it with relevant actors such as police officers, prosecutors and judicial officers when required.
“The relevance of this system is that it enables survivors and witnesses to record information immediately after a crime is committed and rely on the same documentation when reporting to the police,” she added.
Ms Mung’ao said the use of the application offers an opportunity to amplify survivors’ voices while reducing stigma around sexual offences. She emphasised that the platform guarantees confidentiality and dignity, as information is only accessible to the person reporting the case and authorised responders.
She noted that the digital process minimises re-traumatisation by reducing the need for survivors to repeatedly narrate their experiences to multiple actors. The system also enables documentation even in situations where physical interaction is limited.
The county government plans to roll out the MediCapt system to all Level Four hospitals and high-volume Level Three health facilities across Nakuru County. Ms Mung’ao said the SGBV management and information system is designed to integrate data from multiple sectors, including the National Police Service, the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the health and education sectors.
She said the initiative signals Governor Susan Kihika’s administration’s commitment to survivor-centred care, stronger integration between health and justice systems, and the use of technology to protect dignity, strengthen prosecutions and end impunity for sexual violence.
Ms Mung’ao added that the system seeks to enhance response mechanisms and ensure justice for all victims, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
Reported cases from police departments, treated SGBV cases in hospitals, and prosecuted cases at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will form a key avenue for comprehensive data collection, she said.
She noted that SGBV data collected from five key sectors will help inform policy decisions and enable effective evaluation of prevention and response frameworks in Nakuru County.
Kenya remains one of the most progressive countries in the region in terms of legal and policy frameworks for preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence. The 2010 Constitution provides expansive human rights protections, reinforced by the Sexual Offences Act of 2006, the Children’s Act of 2001 and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011.
Despite these strong legal frameworks, Ms. Mung’ao said it has remained difficult to effectively evaluate the impact of laws and policies due to fragmented and incomplete data.
She expressed optimism that the new system would generate credible, comprehensive data to help quantify and qualify the problem, inform policies and design evidence-based programmes.
SGBV remains a widespread challenge in Kenya, affecting both women and men. National data shows that 34 per cent of women and 36 per cent of men who have ever had an intimate partner have experienced economic, psychological, physical or sexual violence.
In Nakuru County, 31 per cent of married women have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Despite these alarming figures, underreporting remains a major challenge due to stigma, fear and limited access to support services.
Official records indicate that Nakuru County recorded 1,357 cases of sexual and gender-based violence last year, although experts caution that the actual number is likely much higher.
Persons living with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. Global estimates indicate that PWDs are twice as likely to experience violence. In Kenya, 67 per cent of women with disabilities have reported abuse, often perpetrated by caregivers or intimate partners.
Ms Mung’ao said the new digital platform provides a confidential reporting channel that allows survivors to file cases anonymously, access medical and legal support and track the progress of their cases through the justice system.
She added that the platform includes specialized accessibility tools for PWDs, such as screen readers, sign language video guides and simplified reporting forms.
“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,” she said.
Ms. Mung’ao noted that the initiative aligns with Kenya’s National Policy on Prevention and Response to GBV (2014) and the Sexual Offences Act (2006). It also supports Sustainable Development Goal Five (SDG 5), which seeks to eliminate gender-based violence and promote gender equality by 2030.
She added that the framework adopts United Nations General Assembly indicators to measure the extent, prevalence and incidence of SGBV, as well as the effectiveness of county responses, including policy changes.
While various ministries, agencies and departments collect sector-specific data, Ms Mung’ao said the multi-sectoral nature of SGBV requires integrated systems to capture gaps in response and guide appropriate interventions.
She concluded that the digital platform represents a major step toward coordinated, survivor-centred and data-driven responses to sexual and gender-based violence in Nakuru County.
By Esther Mwangi
