The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, has raised alarm over the sharp rise in digital violence against women and girls, describing it as a growing threat that often goes unreported due to fear, stigma and pressure for informal resolution.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at a flagship event hosted by the Acting British High Commissioner, Ed Barnett, at his official residence in Nairobi, Kanja joined the global community in marking the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence. This year’s campaign is anchored on the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”

Rising threat of digital violence

The Inspector General expressed concern over the rising prevalence of digital violence, noting that online harassment, cyberstalking, identity misuse, and coordinated digital attacks increasingly expose women and girls to multifaceted harm,” the National Police Service statement dated December 5, 2025, read in part.

“These violations, he observed, often translate into serious real-life consequences and mirror broader challenges within the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Many cases, he noted, remain unreported due to fear, stigma, shame, and pressure to resolve incidents informally, outside legal channels.”

Accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, the IG underscored the deep-rooted Kenya–UK security partnership, saying the collaboration “has yielded significant benefits” and that the forum offered another opportunity to deepen cooperation against evolving threats.

Survivor-friendly mechanisms

Kanja reaffirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to tackling what he called the “dark figure of crime” through enhanced survivor-friendly reporting mechanisms and dignified avenues for redress.

He particularly highlighted the ongoing gains under the UK-funded REINVENT (Reducing Insecurity and Violent Extremism) programme, which has bolstered investigative capacity and led to the establishment of POLICARE centres, comprehensive one-stop facilities for SGBV response, as well as the creation and strengthening of gender desks in police stations nationwide.

“Kanja commended the partnership between the National Police Service and REINVENT, supported by the British High Commission, describing it as a key driver of the Service’s reform agenda,” the NPS statement read.

“He reaffirmed the NPS’s dedication to further enhancing Kenya–UK security and development cooperation for the welfare of women, girls, and communities at large.”

The high-level event brought together government officials, diplomats, civil society organisations and activists united in the push to confront emerging forms of gender-based violence, especially those perpetrated through digital platforms.