Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
Kenya has recorded a sharp drop in new HIV infections over the past decade, with figures from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council showing an 82% decline between 2015 and 2025. New infections fell from 77,647 in 2015 to 13,936 in 2025. Despite the progress, Rachel said young people continued to carry a large share of the HIV burden.
PS Muthoni said young people aged 10 to 34 accounted for 72 per cent of all new adult HIV infections recorded in 2025, while more than 236,000 girls aged between 10 and 19 faced pregnancy.
The Commission said it is increasingly concerned by the spread of intimate images, personal information and child sexual abuse material across digital platforms, warning that the trend is exposing survivors, particularly children, to trauma, discrimination and emotional distress.
Addressing a Linda Mwananchi rally in Mosocho, Kitutu Chache South Constituency, on Friday, Odhiambo said the continued rise in cases of violence against women and children showed that existing interventions were not delivering the desired results.
Cheptumo noted that the State is seeking to have the Central Region declared free from SGBV within the next 11 months through coordinated enforcement, community awareness, and protection efforts.
Between 2022 and 2025, courts recorded 28,146 SGBV-related cases, with 20,013 concluded. Grievous harm made up the largest portion, with 17,712 cases filed and 13,869 resolved, marking the highest number of cases closed among all categories.
According to the UN Women, an estimated 840 million women, almost one in three, have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older).
The ODPP has warned Lamu residents against resolving sexual and gender-based violence cases through informal “kangaroo courts,” saying the practice silences survivors, undermines evidence, and denies children and families justice.
According to the report, courts received 31,460 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases during the year, showing a 0.9 per cent rise that the Judiciary connects to growing confidence among survivors. Grievous harm and assault made up most of the filings, contributing close to three-quarters of the total, while matters involving minors accounted for about 19 per cent.
The proposed law also pushes for improvements in evidence collection and preservation through the use of modern forensic methods. It recommends video link testimony and recorded evidence to prevent intimidation of victims and witnesses during trials.
DPP Ingonga explained the critical role of prosecutors in combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), especially against children
“Coaching styles were reported to be contributing to the culture of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation,” the report adds, with nearly half of respondents attributing abuse to the behaviour and approach of their coaches.