The Kenyan government has renewed its commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and safeguarding the rights and welfare of children across the country.
Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang’ombe, issued a passionate call for urgent action during an emergency meeting held in Nyeri County, prompted by a disturbing rise in GBV cases in the region. The meeting, hosted at the Nyeri County Commissioner’s office, brought together key stakeholders, including Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina, national government officers, and education leaders.
“Child protection is not optional—it is a shared moral duty,” declared PS Wang’ombe. “The barbaric acts occurring in our country cannot and must not be normalized. We must dismantle the culture of silence that allows these atrocities to continue.”
Her remarks come in the wake of a heart-wrenching case involving Baby Rachael, a young girl who was defiled after being sent home from school. She has since undergone surgery and is recovering, while the suspect is in police custody. This case has brought renewed attention to the gaps in child safety protocols within schools and communities.
The government outlined a series of firm resolutions to strengthen child protection. All schools, especially private institutions, have been directed to cease the practice of sending learners home unlawfully. Schools must now prioritize child safety at all times. The Nyumba Kumi initiative will undergo an audit and restructuring to improve its community vigilance role, while public awareness campaigns will educate parents and communities on children’s rights and the early reporting of GBV cases.
PS Wang’ombe emphasized that the Ministry, in collaboration with other state agencies, will escalate national-level interventions and reinforce accountability mechanisms at the grassroots.
“The protection of every child is a national duty, not a choice,” she affirmed.
These actions represent a critical step in ensuring that every child in Kenya grows up in a safe, supportive, and protective environment free from fear and violence.
