By WMW
A total of 349 gender-based violence (GBV) cases and 107 suicide cases have been reported in Nyeri county since 2024, underscoring growing concerns over sexual violence, mental health challenges and child protection.
The figures were presented by Nyeri governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga during a Central Region stakeholders’ engagement forum on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), suicide prevention, sexual offences and child protection.
The meeting brought together national and county government officials, security agencies, religious leaders, civil society and development partners.
According to the data, the 349 GBV cases reported to the Kenya Police Service include 154 cases of defilement, 26 rape cases, 10 gang rape cases, 7 attempted rape cases, 36 indecent assaults, 23 sexual assaults, 3 incest cases, 2 gang defilement cases, 16 murder cases linked to GBV, and 71 cases of domestic threats to kill.
On suicide, 107 cases were recorded between June 2024 and May 2026. The cases involved 81 males and 26 females, with victims aged between 11 and 88 years.
The Nyeri Governor who joined Gender Principal Secretary Ann Wang’ombe and other senior officials at the forum, said the figures reflect a deepening social crisis affecting individuals, families and communities.
He noted that behind every statistic is a human story of pain, trauma and loss.
He attributed the rising cases to a combination of factors including mental health challenges, depression, drug and substance abuse, unemployment, family conflict, harmful cultural practices and weakening community support systems.
The Governor warned that the situation requires urgent, coordinated and multi-sectoral intervention, involving both national and county governments, security agencies, schools, health institutions, civil society and religious organizations.
He also pointed to persistent challenges such as underreporting of cases, inadequate funding, limited safe spaces for survivors, rising mental health needs and increasing demand for youth empowerment programmes.
He called for strengthened collaboration through an enhanced SGBV technical working group and improved survivor support systems. He also proposed a 90-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to fast-track interventions and improve response mechanisms.
“We must all play our part in building safe homes, safe schools and safe communities,” he said, urging communities to support survivors and ensure access to justice and protection services.
The Gender PS who presided over the broader Central Region multi-agency engagement at Nyeri National Polytechnic, said the forum aimed to strengthen coordinated action and practical interventions to address SGBV, suicide and child protection violations.
She said the initiative aligns with a 90-day rapid response framework designed to enhance inter-agency coordination and improve prevention and response systems across the region.
The forum also brought together officials from Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua counties, alongside National Government Administration Officers, police commanders and gender directors.
Participants emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach combining enforcement, community sensitization, education, mental health support and social protection systems.
The meeting proposed a renewed commitments to strengthen partnerships and implement sustained interventions aimed at reducing violence, improving mental health support and safeguarding vulnerable groups across the Central region.
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