Thrive
- Apr 22, 2021
- 2 min read

Kenya

Population size: 

52,573,973 [1]

Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:

2014: 45% of women 15-49 have experienced physical violence, and 14% experienced sexual violence.[2] UN Violence against women reports Women who have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime:407 % Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in the last 12 months: 255 %.[3] Percentage of men experiencing physical and/or sexual IPV in last 12 months 49% Percentage of men experiencing physical and/or sexual IPV over their lifetime 21%. [4]

Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:

Estimated cost of work absenteeism related to domestic violence and abuse per annum: $50m

Estimated cost of lost economic output related to presenteeism, US$ million per annum: $128m (5% productivity loss) [5]

Estimated % change due to COVID-19:

National Council on Administration of Justice: "significant spike in sexual offences".[6], [7]

Current law and policy:

Though Kenya did not join the COMMIT Initiative, it passed the Prevention Against Domestic Violence Act 2015, and has committed to implementing this law.

In 2015, Kenya introduced the Prevention Against Domestic Violence (PADOMESTIC VIOLENCE) Act, and its Government is committed to implementing both the Act and the National Policy for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (2014). 

In a commitment statement made at the Global Leaders Meeting on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (27th September 2015), President Uhuru stated that his government was committed to both the Policy and Act aforementioned, and to continuing to engage boys and men on the issues of Gender Equality in line with the HeforShe Campaign. 

The PADOMESTIC VIOLENCE Act ensures that offences such as economic violence, emotional abuse, stalking, interference from in-laws, virginity testing and sexual violence in marriage are all prosecutable. The Act also allows others to report abuse on behalf of a victim, where previously this was not possible.

To ensure this Act is fully and efficiently implemented it requires adequate funding, robust reporting measures and public awareness. This all requires a continued commitment to tackle domestic violence by the government of Kenya.

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