Kiambu County has reported 137 new cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), accounting for 34 per cent of all cases reported nationally, according to a report by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC).
The report highlights an eight-fold surge in SGBV cases not only in Kiambu but across the country, with cases rising from 2,466 in 2016 to 20,053 in 2023.
The United Nations defines SGBV as any sexual act, attempted sexual act, or other acts directed against a person’s sexuality through coercion, regardless of the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.
According to Marion Mashoo, NSDCC Regional HIV Coordinator, sexual violence not only violates an individual’s rights but also increases the risk of HIV infection and unintended pregnancies.
“Kenya is committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat and addressing all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by 2030. To achieve this, the government has partnered with relevant stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to combat this menace,” said Mashoo while attending an SGBV technical working committee meeting in Ruiru Sub-county.
Mashoo, who oversees Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties, emphasized the strong correlation between SGBV cases, HIV infections, and unintended pregnancies, warning that any increase in these cases could hinder Kenya’s goal of ending HIV by 2030.
She noted that SGBV cases have been on the rise over the past seven years, with Kiambu County reporting just 18 cases in 2016 compared to 137 in 2023.
“Thika Sub-county recorded the highest number of reported SGBV cases in Kiambu at 52 per cent, followed by Githunguri at 26.7 per cent, and Kiambu town at 20 per cent. Other areas such as Juja, Lari, and Limuru each recorded 16 per cent, while the remaining sub-counties reported less than 5 per cent of the total cases,” Mashoo stated.
Olympia Karimi, the Director of the State Department of Gender, who led the Kiambu County SGBV Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in Ruiru, noted that the county has made significant strides in developing a comprehensive SGBV reporting, monitoring, and evaluation framework. This has enhanced response mechanisms for SGBV cases.
“Since launching data collection late last year, we have gathered more comprehensive information that guides our interventions,” Karimi stated.
She added that the tool has helped identify regions requiring more sensitization efforts, ensuring that every part of the county is accounted for in the fight against SGBV.
“With such interventions and partnerships with key stakeholders in our communities, we are optimistic that SGBV cases will begin to decline,” said Karimi.
According to the National Syndemic Disease Control Council’s 2019 survey, 46 per cent of women and 52 per cent of men aged 18-24 in Kenya reported experiencing at least one form of violence during childhood.
Additionally, between 2016 and 2023, 42 per cent (87,500) of all reported SGBV cases involved children and adolescents aged 10-17 years.
