GBV Survivors Face Rising Violence Amid Shrinking Support and Justice Gaps
Survivors of gender-based violence in Kenya struggle with ongoing abuse, inadequate justice, and dwindling support from overstretched safe houses.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 22, 2026
2 min read
Gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in Kenya continue to endure severe abuse, limited access to justice, and insufficient support systems, as demand for safe houses and counselling outpaces available resources.
Survivors’ Stories Highlight Systemic Failures
Joy*, a single mother, recounted a harrowing experience of abuse and a near-fatal stabbing by a former partner. Despite multiple police reports, no arrests were made, leaving her vulnerable and fearful as the attacker remains at large. The physical trauma has left lasting injuries that limit her ability to work and provide for her family.
Similarly, Fatma, married at 13 to escape hardship, suffered years of abuse, child loss, and abandonment. After being left destitute by her husband, intervention by social workers helped her access a safe house, but her story underscores the long-term consequences of early and forced marriages.
Support Centres Struggle Amid Funding Cuts
Edith Kamau, CEO of Moyote Rescue Centre in Machakos, describes an overwhelming increase in GBV cases alongside a sharp decline in funding. Originally focused on HIV-related stigma, Moyote has expanded to serve thousands of survivors, but now can only support a fraction due to diminished resources.
Safe houses face critical shortages in capacity and funding, forcing some survivors to be turned away despite urgent needs. The centre has received limited aid from government and international bodies but requires sustained investment to expand services and establish new facilities in Nairobi and Nyandarua.
Growing Violence Driven by Social and Economic Pressures
Kamau attributes the surge in GBV to heightened economic stress and social instability. Many survivors, including pregnant teenagers and children, seek refuge after enduring defilement and domestic abuse. The centre also works to ensure continued education for affected youth amidst trauma.
Urgent Need for Comprehensive Response
Globally, intimate partner violence claims 50,000 women and girls annually, with Kenya recording a 79% rise in femicide cases in 2024 alone. Approximately 41% of Kenyan women of reproductive age have experienced intimate partner violence, illustrating the scale of the crisis.
Survivors like Joy urge others to speak out and seek help early, warning that silence can be deadly. Meanwhile, organisations call for increased funding, improved legal enforcement, and holistic support to break the cycle of violence and empower survivors towards independence.
