Rising Gender-Based Violence Cases Spark Fear Among Women in Kenya.
Activists and survivors say economic hardship, weak enforcement and social stigma are fueling an increase in gender-based violence across communities.
NAIROBI, KENYA — When Faith Achieng was 24, she spent months hiding bruises under long sleeves and forcing a fake smile for anyone who asked. People around her in Nairobi had no clue what she was really dealing with. Now, she’s finally telling the truth—she survived gender-based violence. And honestly, it’s hard to ignore how much economic stress, poor law enforcement, and that heavy social stigma keep making abuse, battery, and even femicide worse in Kenya.
Faith calls Nairobi home, and she’s not letting the pain from her past go to waste. She works with youth groups, pushing for awareness, counseling, and bettor mental health support for survivors like herself. Surviving abuse changed her. Now she’s more guarded, not just in her relationships but even walking down the street.
“A lot of women just keep quiet. They’re terrified no one will listen or help them,” Faith says.
And leaving doesn’t mean it’s over. The fear, the anxiety, and those memories—they stick around. “You don’t really escape it. You keep reliving what happened,” she adds.
Still, she keeps pushing. Faith uses social media and community outreach to urge women to seek help and speak up. She knows too many young women stay trapped in violent homes—because they rely on their abusers for money, fear revenge, or see the justice system as pointless.
Faith’s story isn’t unique. It’s just one chapter in a much bigger crisis. Human Rights Watch reports around 13 women or girls are killed every week, and about 130 sexual violence cases hit officials each week in Kenya.
People have started paying more attention, especially in the cities. Back in December 2024, Reuters counted at least 97 women murdered in gender-related attacks in just three months. That wave of violence sparked rallies, with crowds demanding real action and protection from the government.
Even the government’s admitting things are out of control. More than 7,100 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were logged in just four months, according to The Associated Press. Officials keep promising to beef up police response.
But survivors face endless waits for justice, threats if they speak out, and barely any safe places to go for help. The news flares up when a big case breaks, but most stories fade fast.
Faith sees it clearly—this isn’t just about a few violent attackers. Kenya’s got to step up to protect women and rebuild trust, because right now, the fear is everywhere. Women are carrying it around, every single day.