Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru has launched a new initiative for collecting data on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative is in partnership with the Lithuanian Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (Vilnius CCIC) and aims to develop 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 Prosecution, and the Health and Education sectors.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Governor Dr. David Kones highlighted that the system was designed to enhance response mechanisms and ensure justice for victims, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), was effectively addressed and served in time. Vilnius CCIC, a network of Lithuanian business representatives, unites almost 500 Lithuanian companies from different sectors.
Dr. Kones explained that reported cases from the police department, treated cases in hospitals, and prosecuted cases in the office of the director of public prosecution will serve as the data sources for the system. The collected data will inform policies and evaluate the framework for preventing and responding to gender-based violence in Nakuru.
Kenya is considered progressive in the region regarding legal and policy frameworks for preventing and responding to SGBV. The 2010 Constitution, along with various acts like the Sexual Offences Act 2006, provides expansive provisions on human rights. Despite these, evaluating the impact of these laws remains challenging.
Dr. Kones emphasized that the system would provide Kenyans with credible data to address problems, inform policies, and design evidence-based programs. SGBV is prevalent in Kenya, affecting men and women, with data showing significant percentages experiencing violence in intimate relationships. Nakuru County has seen high rates of abuse, though underreporting due to stigma and limited access to support services remains a challenge.
Official records show Nakuru recorded 1,357 cases of SGBV last year, but experts believe actual numbers are higher. PWDs are particularly vulnerable, with global estimates suggesting they are twice as likely to experience violence. In Kenya, 67 percent of women with disabilities report abuse.
The new platform provides a confidential reporting channel for survivors, allowing anonymous case filing, medical and legal aid access, and progress tracking through the justice system. It includes specialized accessibility tools for PWDs, such as screen readers and sign language video guides.
Dr. Kones described the system as a transformative tool in the county’s fight against SGBV, noting it will strengthen data collection and improve coordination and support for survivors. The initiative aligns with Kenya’s National Policy on Prevention and Response to GBV and supports Sustainable Development Goal 5.
The system builds on existing efforts, including the GBV Recovery Centre at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, which has assisted over 3,000 survivors since 2021. More than 500 law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and community leaders have been trained on SGBV response, with safe houses established in high-risk areas.
Despite these initiatives, Dr. Kones expressed concern that only 30 percent of GBV survivors seek help. Cultural stigma further discourages men from reporting abuse, and inaccessible reporting structures challenge many PWDs. The digital platform aims to bridge these gaps by making reporting more inclusive.
The launch was attended by Chief Officers Gladys Kamuren (Gender and Social Services), Alice Abuki (External Resource Mobilization), Leonard Kirui (ICT Director), gender officers, and PWD representatives. The framework seeks to substantiate SGBV occurrences using United Nations General Assembly indicators and aims to capture data gaps in response to SGBV.