Kenya’s Cabinet has approved the creation of a presidential working group to develop practical strategies to address the rising cases of femicide in the country.
The team, which will be officially gazetted with clear terms of reference, is expected to deliver actionable recommendations within 90 days.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, State House said the working group will collaborate with religious leaders, parents, schools, security agencies, and other stakeholders to identify gaps in laws, law enforcement, and societal values that contribute to the growing crisis.
The announcement comes as the government moves to develop a holistic approach to combat the troubling surge in gender-based violence.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by President William Ruto and the final session for the year, also approved the “Assumption of Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2024”. The proposed legislation seeks to close existing loopholes and ensure orderly and unified presidential transitions in the country.
The approval follows growing public pressure over systemic failures in addressing femicide and comes amid scrutiny of police conduct during recent anti-femicide protests in Nairobi.
Human rights organisations, including the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), the Law Society of Kenya, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, criticised the police for excessive force during a peaceful march on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2024.
While the transfer of key police officers involved in the incident has been announced, rights groups argue that such actions are insufficient. They have called for deeper reforms within the National Police Service to address systemic issues and prevent further human rights violations.
The organisations further demanded criminal accountability for officers who unlawfully used force and pledged to work with relevant authorities to craft reforms that prioritise the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and human rights protection.
