A total of 1,321 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and related harmful practice cases have been reported in Kericho County since 2025, according to a Ministry of Health report presented during the Gender Sector Working Group meeting.
The report indicates that 880 cases were recorded in 2025, while an additional 441 cases involving SGBV, intimate partner violence, child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) were reported between January and June 2026.
The rising cases have prompted county leaders, government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence and protecting vulnerable groups.
According to the report, Bureti Sub County recorded the highest number of SGBV cases at 327, followed by Sigowet Soin with 218, Kipkelion West with 148, Ainamoi with 113, Belgut with 47, while Kipkelion East recorded the lowest number with 27 cases.
Girls aged between 10 and 17 years were the most affected group, accounting for 405 survivors. They were followed by women aged between 18 and 49 years with 244 cases, girls below 10 years with 44 cases and women aged 50 years and above with 23 cases.
Among male survivors, 98 cases involved men aged between 18 and 49 years, 32 involved men aged 50 years and above, 18 involved boys aged between 10 and 17 years, while 16 cases involved boys below the age of 10.
The report further shows that 309 cases involving SGBV, intimate partner violence, child marriage and FGM were recorded between January and March 2026, while 132 cases were reported between April and June 2026.
During the first quarter of 2026, Belgut recorded the highest number of intimate partner violence cases at 66, while Sigowet Soin recorded the highest number of child marriage cases at 15, followed by Bureti and Kipkelion West with six cases each.
The report also recorded one case of FGM in Sigowet Soin in May 2026, indicating that the harmful practice has not been completely eliminated from the county.
Speaking during the meeting, Kericho County Commissioner Omari Ali described SGBV as a serious challenge in the county, particularly in tea-growing areas, and called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, communities and development partners to address the vice.
The County Commissioner discouraged the practice of resolving gender-based violence cases through informal family and community settlements, commonly known as kipkaa
, saying such arrangements undermine justice and contribute to repeated offences.
He urged residents to report cases promptly to the police and other relevant authorities, noting that holding perpetrators accountable would help deter violence and protect vulnerable members of society.
Ali assured that his office would continue working with chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to enhance community sensitization, identify cases early and ensure reported offenders face the law.
“Gender Based Violence continues to destroy families, expose children to violence and undermine development, yet every child has a right to protection, education and a safe environment,” he said.
He also called for the elimination of harmful cultural practices, including FGM, saying such practices violate the rights and dignity of women and girls and must be completely eradicated.
The Gender Sector Working Group meeting was convened by the County Government of Kericho through County Commissioner urged parents to take greater responsibility in raising children by providing proper guidance and discipline while monitoring the use of mobile phones and other digital devices among minors to reduce exposure to abuse and exploitation.
The Gender Sector Working Group meeting was convened by the County Government of Kericho through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to discuss strategies for addressing gender-related challenges and strengthening response mechanisms.
The meeting brought together County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Gender, Youth Affairs and Sports Beatrice Kaptich, Director of Gender Beatrice Chebet, Nominated MCA Fancy Korir, officials from NAVCDP, representatives from national and county government departments, civil society organizations, development partners and members of the business community.
By Kibe Mburu
