Cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nakuru County are on the rise, with newly released data showing that 368 survivors were affected between January and March 2026, raising fresh concern over the growing crisis.

This revives the memories of GBV that led residents in Nakuru to take to the streets in 2024 following high numbers of GVB with femicide cased triggering the protest.

According to statistics from the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital majority of survivors are women, with 321 female cases recorded against 47 male cases reported within the three-month period.

The data further reveals that the most affected age group is between 18 and 49 years, where 118 women and girls were violated against 47. From these group 97 ladies were sexually assaulted and 33 boys violated, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals in their most active social and economic years.

Speaking on the trend, Nakuru County Chief Officer of Gender and Social Services, Gladys Kamuren acknowledged that GBV cases have been steadily increasing, noting that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) forms a significant portion of the reported incidents.

Separate data shows that 340 Sexual Gender Based Violence survivors were recorded within the same period, while 86 among this data, where survivors were persons living with disabilities.

Kamuren attributed the rise in cases to several underlying factors, with mental health challenges, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption cited as key drivers.

“When people are under the influence, most of the time they don’t make the right decisions. Some turn against their partners getting us to these numbers we are seeing today. The numbers might even be high because some cases go unreported,” Kamuren says, emphasizing the need for stricter control and regulation of substance use.

She also pointed to systemic challenges that continue to hinder the fight against GBV. Among them is corruption within law enforcement, where some cases fail to proceed due to bribery and interference.

“When money exchanges hands, perpetrators walk free, and that encourages repeat offences,” she notes.

Additionally, the slow pace of the judicial system is also highlighted as a major concern. Kamuren observed that GBV cases often take months, or even years, to conclude, discouraging survivors from pursuing justice.

“Survivors become frustrated and give up, while perpetrators continue without consequences,” she says, calling for expedited handling of GBV-related cases.

To address the crisis, Kamuren proposed a multi-sectoral approach, including empowering grassroots leaders such as chiefs and assistant chiefs through training and resources to handle cases effectively at the community level.

She also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on their rights and the importance of reporting abuse.

“People still don’t understand the extent of their rights, and that ignorance is dangerous in the fights against GBV. More should be done to support our men and women as we fight towards zero GBV cases,” she says.

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Alarm as Nakuru records 368 Gender Based Violence cases in three months

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Purity Kinuthia