Police name 8 regions leading in reported femicide cases amid alarm
By Cynthia Lodite, May 23, 2026The National Police Service (NPS) has announced enhanced proactive measures to tackle femicide and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), including the establishment of a specialised team at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dedicated to preventing, investigating, and prosecuting these crimes.
In a statement by NPS on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the police have listed eight regions with reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence in 2025 amid rising cases in 2026.
The National Police Service (NPS) has stated that it remains deeply concerned by the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including femicide, which continue to pose a serious threat to the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and girls across the country.
The Service also provided updates on ongoing cases, including the arrests of a person of interest in the murders of Deka Abdinoor Gorone, college student Seth Nyakio Njeri, Rachel Muthoni Wandeto, and several others.
According to the service, 125 femicide-related cases are currently under active handling across Kenya’s regions, with 98 (78.4%) already before the courts and 27 under investigation.
Among the leading regions is Central, which NPS says leads with 31, followed by the Western region, which has a record of 30, followed by the Nairobi region with at least 17.
“Central Region: 31, Western Region: 30, Nairobi Region: 17, Rift Valley Region: 16, Eastern Region: 16, Coast Region: 9, Nyanza Region: 4, North Eastern Region: 2,” NPS stated.
NPS, DCI collaboration
In recent years, Kenya has witnessed a disturbing trend of violence against women and girls, bringing to the fore grave violations of fundamental human rights.
Despite the complex and evolving nature of femicide-related crimes, the National Police Service has continued to respond firmly and proactively through enhanced investigations, operational reforms, and strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders.
Recognising the changing dynamics surrounding these offences, the Service has adopted a multi-faceted and intelligence-led approach aimed at effectively preventing, investigating, and prosecuting perpetrators.
NPS has established a specialised team at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters, comprising criminal intelligence analysts, forensic experts, homicide investigators, and other specialised professionals, to strengthen this response.
The team continues to register significant progress in investigating reported cases, with many matters currently before the courts while others remain under active investigation at various stages.
Preliminary findings from investigations indicate that a majority of SGBV and femicide cases are linked to domestic disputes, intimate partner violence, sexual offences, assault, and unresolved family conflicts.