President Ruto Receives GBV, Femicide Task Force Report, Calls for Whole-of-Society Action

President William Ruto has called for a united, whole-of-society approach to end gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya, saying the fight against abuse requires collective responsibility from families, religious institutions, community leaders, and citizens.

The President made the remarks at State House, Nairobi, during the official presentation of the report by the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, including Femicide. He said no Kenyan should live in fear or insecurity because of their gender.

“We must adopt a whole-of-society approach to end gender-based violence. Every Kenyan has a role to play,” President Ruto said. “Together as a nation, we must ensure that none of our citizens live in fear because of their gender.”

President Ruto emphasised that efforts to combat GBV and femicide must begin at the family level, urging parents and guardians to raise children in peaceful, respectful, and nurturing environments.

“Change starts at home,” he said. “Religious leaders must stand firm in defence of life and human dignity. Community leaders must confront harmful cultural practices and end the silence that protects abuse. Citizens must speak out, report abuse, and stand with survivors.”

The report was presented by the task force chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza. The team was mandated to assess the scale, causes, and patterns of GBV and femicide across the country, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of existing institutional responses.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Kathure Njogu, who serves on the task force’s oversight committee, described the assignment as both difficult and essential, noting the depth of the crisis uncovered during the review.

Quoting Justice Baraza, Ms Njogu said: “On beginning our work on GBV and femicide, we found a country in pain.”

She added that the report would be processed through Cabinet to allow for policy consideration and guide implementation of the proposed recommendations.

President Ruto assured Kenyans that the findings and proposals contained in the report would be handled through established government procedures to ensure meaningful and sustainable reforms.

“We will carefully consider the report and subject the recommendations to due process,” he said.

The task force’s findings are expected to inform national reforms aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, improving survivor protection and support services, enhancing justice and accountability mechanisms, and addressing the underlying social and cultural drivers of gender-based violence and femicide.

The presentation of the report comes amid growing public concern over rising cases of GBV and femicide, with civil society organisations, faith groups, and human rights advocates calling for stronger action to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable.