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MPs demand urgent action to end gender violence
01st August, 2025 02:29 PM
The Members of Parliament have issued a unified and impassioned condemnation of the escalating cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kenya, warning that without urgent collective action, the country faces a deepening crisis.
The debate was triggered by Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, who raised a question on the state of GBV in her county. In response, Chairperson of the Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo, presented shocking statistics covering only four months from April to July 2025.
“In less than 10 months, Kericho alone has recorded over 100 GBV cases. This is a serious problem in our society. These numbers are not unique to Kericho; they can be replicated in many other counties,” Tongoyo told the House on Friday, August 1, 2025.
According to Tongoyo, Kericho reported two cases of femicide, nine cases of rape, three gang rapes, two cases of sexual assault, and a staggering 77 incidents of child defilement during the reporting period.
The revelations sparked emotional reactions across the chamber. Kemei made an emotional appeal for cross-gender unity in tackling the crisis.
“If we do not get support from our male counterparts, we will not go far in this fight. SGBV affects everyone in one way or another,” she said.
Kemei also decried the slow pace of justice, pointing to police complacency and the dragging of court cases as key contributors to the surge in GBV cases. Her sentiments were echoed by several other legislators, who emphasised systemic failures and societal silence as key enablers of the violence.
Wetang’ula joins in condemning
Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, condemned the acts, referring to GBV perpetrators as cowards and beasts.
“Men who prey on women and children are cowards. Those who target children are beasts who should not be allowed in society. If you have a liking for girls in uniform, buy your wife the uniform and admire her wearing it, leave our children alone,” the Speaker stated.
Wetang’ula further challenged MPs to take legislative action to impose harsher penalties, noting that many offenders get away with a mere slap on the wrist.
Other MPs echoed the urgency of the matter. Teso South MP Mary Emaase called for increased funding for advocacy and survivor support initiatives.
“Current allocations only benefit counties with women representatives. That must change if we’re to see a real impact,” she said.
Kirinyaga MP Njeri Maina emphasised the importance of systemic reforms, including establishing dedicated SGBV courts in every magistrate’s court and ensuring police accountability.
“There is still much more to be done to ensure that our women and girls are protected,” she said.
Samburu West MP Lesuuda Naisula stressed the need for a grassroots movement to change cultural attitudes around GBV.
“It must be a collective responsibility for everyone in society to protect women and girls,” she urged.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya added a personal challenge to men across the country.
“As men, we must dignify ourselves and take a firm stand to protect our women and children,” he said.
MPs renewed their call for a multi-agency strategy, involving police, judiciary, communities, and legislators, to confront the GBV epidemic head-on. The House agreed that GBV is not just a women’s issue, it’s a national emergency demanding decisive, united action.
