The Kenyan government has launched a coordinated multi-agency operation in the Central Region following the alarming rise in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), femicide, child neglect, assault, and other related crimes affecting women and children across the country.
The initiative, announced after a high-level engagement with regional stakeholders, will be implemented in Nyeri County, Murang’a County, Kirinyaga County, and Nyandarua County under a 90-day Rapid Response Initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women, girls, and children.
The crackdown comes at a time when Kenya continues to witness disturbing cases of femicide, violence against women, and the brutal killings of children.
Measures Announced Under the Rapid Response Initiative
Authorities revealed several urgent measures that will immediately take effect across the targeted counties. These include:
- Enforcement of standard operating hours for licensed bars and entertainment joints.
- Closure of unlicensed bars, especially those operating near schools and learning institutions.
- Intensified crackdown on illicit brews in collaboration with county governments and relevant security agencies.
- Mapping and identification of SGBV hotspots to support targeted operations, arrests, and prosecution of perpetrators.
- Strict enforcement of official school learning hours in accordance with the Basic Education Act of 2013 to reduce children’s exposure to unsafe environments.
Speaking during the engagement, Anne Wang’ombe said the initiative will later be expanded to other parts of the country as the government seeks to address the persistent challenge of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Kenya.
Rising Cases of Femicide and Violence Against Children in Kenya
The latest government intervention comes amid public outrage over a growing number of tragic killings involving women and children.
One of the most heartbreaking recent cases is that of 12-year-old Mercy Nyambura, a Grade Six pupil who disappeared while heading home from school in Njoro, Nakuru County. Her body was discovered on May 19, 2026, hidden inside a maize plantation. Preliminary reports indicate that she was tortured, defiled, and later strangled to death. A teenager has since been arrested in connection with the murder.
The country has also been shaken by several other disturbing incidents involving missing children and femicide victims.
Other Recent Cases Include:
- Bravin Mokaya, a five-year-old boy, whose disappearance ended in a tragic ransom-related killing after his body was reportedly found abandoned inside an empty house in Nyamira County.
- Glorious Kaiza Maore, an 11-year-old girl whose body was discovered stuffed inside a sack in Kisauni, Mombasa, leading to the arrest of a suspect.
- Alice Riang’a, a 20-year-old university student whose body was recovered from Barcoino Forest in Siaya County after she had been reported missing.
The Tragic Death of Krystabel Anyango
Another case that has sparked outrage online is the death of Krystabel Anyango, also known as Bella, a 28-year-old Patient Coordinator at Jacaranda Maternity Hospital.
According to her mother, Julian Aketch, Bella had been in a violent and unstable relationship with a man identified as Henry. The relationship was reportedly characterised by repeated abuse and neglect.
Her mother stated that after reconciling with Henry in 2024, Bella suffered severe mistreatment, including alleged confinement, abuse, and lack of food while staying at his residence. The family later discovered she was pregnant and took her back to Kakamega, where she eventually gave birth.
The family claims Henry neither supported Bella during her pregnancy nor contributed toward medical and childcare expenses.
Despite repeated warnings from her family to leave the relationship, Bella reportedly returned to Nairobi to rebuild her life. Her mother said Bella continued to describe Henry as violent and frequently intoxicated.
On April 30, Henry allegedly informed the family through a text message that Bella had collapsed and had been taken to the hospital. However, the following day, the family reportedly received a call informing them that she had died. Her relatives later claimed they found her body inside a saloon car rather than in the hospital.
A postmortem conducted on May 4 reportedly revealed blunt force trauma to the head, swollen eyes, and visible scars, findings the family believes point to murder.
The family says the main suspect was later released from police custody and has since disappeared. They are now demanding justice for Bella, who leaves behind a one-year-and-four-month-old child.
Growing Calls for Action Against GBV and Femicide
Human rights activists, women’s rights organisations, and members of the public continue to call for stronger laws, faster investigations, and tougher action against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and femicide in Kenya.
As the country mourns the growing number of women and children losing their lives to violence, many Kenyans are demanding accountability, justice for victims, and long-term solutions to protect vulnerable members of society.
About the Author
