Kenya announces plan to combat rising gender-based violence as 100 women are killed in four months

Kenya Launches Bold Plan to Tackle Surge in Gender-Based Violence
In a decisive move, the Kenyan government announced this week a comprehensive strategy to combat the alarming rise of gender-based violence (GBV), after authorities reported that more than 100 women were killed in just four months. The new initiative will expand policing efforts, strengthen legal protections, and enhance support for survivors, as Kenya seeks to reverse a trend that has drawn growing domestic and international concern.
The background to this announcement is stark: the National Administration says murders of women have spiked across both urban and rural areas, with many deaths linked to intimate partner violence, domestic disputes, and inflexible reporting systems that have long hindered prosecutions. The government disclosed that it will deploy additional rapid-response units, establish specialized courts for GBV cases and roll out a national hotline and safe-shelter network. Some civil society groups welcomed the move but warned that decades of under-investment in women’s protection services mean implementation will be the real test.
Reactions have been mixed. Survivors and women’s rights organisations expressed hope that the strategy marks a turning point, while opposition lawmakers and activists urged the government to match its rhetoric with funding and accountability. Meanwhile, community leaders in affected counties said the plan must better address harmful cultural norms and ensure more meaningful engagement with grassroots women. The announcement has resonated internationally as Kenya presents itself as a leader in East Africa on human rights issues.
Looking ahead, success will depend on how quickly the various elements of the plan are rolled out and how well they are sustained. Key milestones include the launch of the national hotline later this year, full staffing of the GBV-courts by mid-2026, and a review after one year that will assess whether women’s deaths have begun to fall. If Kenya can deliver on those fronts, it may set a precedent for other countries in the region struggling with similar challenges.