Government Launches Task Force to Combat Rising Femicide Crisis
Its primary objective is to assess, review, and recommend policies and structures to curtail GBV and femicide across the country.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura. Photo/Isaac Mwaura.
By Lucy Jemeli
In response to a concerning surge in femicide cases, the Kenyan government has established a 42-member task force dedicated to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
This initiative, announced by President William Ruto on January 10, 2025, aims to develop comprehensive strategies to address the escalating crisis.
Government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura emphasized the necessity of this specialized task force, noting that existing constitutional bodies like the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have broader mandates.
The new task force is designed to provide focused interventions to eradicate femicide from Kenyan society.
Principal Secretary of Interior Dr. Raymond Omollo highlighted the alarming increase in femicide incidents, reporting that over the past six months, more than 100 cases have been recorded.
Tragically, in the current month alone, 15 women and girls have lost their lives due to gender-based violence.
The task force, chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Nancy Baraza, was officially sworn in on January 29, 2025.
Its primary objective is to assess, review, and recommend policies and structures to curtail GBV and femicide across the country.
This development follows reports indicating a significant rise in femicide cases in recent months, with 172 incidents reported by December of the previous year.
The establishment of this task force underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the femicide crisis and implementing effective measures to protect women and girls nationwide.