Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that cases of sexual and gender-based violence are rising in several counties in Western and Nyanza, saying the trend is worrying even as Kenya takes part in the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during the presentation of the Jukwaa la Usalama report to President William Ruto, noting that the latest figures point to a growing risk for children and families in the affected regions. Murkomen said the problem requires urgent and steady action from both government officers and local leadership.
“We are recording high cases of defilement in the Western and Nyanza regions, especially in Kisumu and Migori,” he said, adding that the nature of the reported offences was especially troubling.
“What is most disturbing is that many of these cases involve people who are supposed to protect these children.”
Murkomen said the 16 Days of Activism should serve as a strong reminder that the country must put more effort into preventing abuse and supporting survivors. He explained that many families continue to face different types of violence that leave long-term harm.
“We have wife beatings, husband beatings, and all these forms of violence,” he added.
“We want to upscale the fight against these issues, especially during this period when the whole world is reflecting on ending gender-based violence.”
The CS also turned attention to the role of chiefs, saying they are central to community safety but continue to struggle with limited training and reduced support. He asked the government to move faster in addressing their concerns, saying they remain the first point of help for many families.
“For many years, chiefs have been asking for training, and we kept telling them to wait,” he said. “Yesterday you saw them marching in the parade. They are waiting to hear from you on what next.”
To show their commitment, Murkomen recalled an incident during the December 1 parade.
“There was one chief who fainted during the parade. Paramedics asked him to go to the hospital, but he refused; he wanted to go back,” he said.
“That chief valued that training so much that he insisted on returning.”
He said many chiefs face growing financial pressure, especially as their allowances continue to decline.
“They told me their Authority to Incur Expenditure allocations have been reducing every year,” he told the President.
“Just say one word, and their hearts will be at rest.”
Murkomen further appealed for stronger protection and better compensation for chiefs who get injured while enforcing the law, saying they often face danger when confronting illegal activities.
“They fight alcoholism, and sometimes they are beaten by goons as they confront the problem,” he said.
“We need to improve compensation for officers injured in the line of duty.”
He referred to a recent incident in Makueni, where a chief came across suspicious activities while working with local enforcement teams, saying such cases show why administrative officers must be properly empowered to respond.
Murkomen stressed that the fight against gender-based violence cannot be separated from efforts to support chiefs and other officers who help maintain order across communities.
