By Sarafina Musyoki, 3^rd December 2025

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has cautioned that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is quickly becoming one of the most serious security problems reported by communities throughout the country, with the Western and Nyanza regions showing the most worrying rise.

The CS spoke at State House during the presentation of the Jukwaa la Usalama report to President William Ruto, noting that feedback collected from community discussions in all 47 counties revealed increased exposure of children and families to different forms of violence.

Murkomen said that during these community forums, residents repeatedly raised concerns about growing numbers of defilement cases in Kisumu, Migori and nearby counties, many of which allegedly involve individuals trusted by the victims.

He urged the country to use the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to reflect on the shared responsibility of safeguarding vulnerable groups, stressing that families, communities and state institutions must work together.

The CS added that the public forums also revealed a rise in domestic violence, with cases reported involving both women and men.

“We heard reports of wives being assaulted, husbands being attacked, and many other forms of abuse,”

he said.

“These concerns came straight from citizens, and we must treat them as urgent.”

Murkomen emphasized that addressing SGBV will only be effective if the country strengthens its administrative and security structures.

“Our priority is to create safer families and safer communities,”

he said.

“This report gives us a clear point from which to begin.”