This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Published on July 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta has sounded the alarm on rising family tensions in Kenya, citing a surge in gender-based violence cases, mental health issues, and teenage pregnancies.
Between April 15 and May 14, 2020, FIDA-Kenya recorded over 158 cases of gender-based violence from across the country, with the Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital reporting 388 cases of defilement between January and April alone.
According to the president, the family is a reflection of the state, and if it is under attack, the state is under attack. He has directed the National Crime Research Centre to investigate the escalating cases of gender-based violence, the disempowerment of the girl child, and the violation of children's rights.
As the country slowly re-opens, the National Crime Research Centre is expected to deliver an advisory to the security agencies on remedial action by the end of 30 days and initiate the prosecution of all violators.
“We must always remember that the family is a projection of the State. If the family is under attack, the State is under attack. If the family is weak, the country is weak,” Uhuru warned.
