With a crucial 2026 deadline looming, Kenya is losing its race against time to protect women and girls from violence, risking its ambitious gender equality commitments becoming mere paper promises.

As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a Streamline News investigation reveals a troubling gap between policy and practice. While Kenya earned global praise for its pledges at the 2021 Generation Equality Forum, a severe lack of funding, systemic failures in the justice system, and a shortage of safe spaces leave thousands of survivors vulnerable. This is not just a policy failure; it's a national crisis that costs the economy billions and puts every Kenyan family's future at risk.

The Promise of Paris

In June 2021, Kenya co-led the Gender-Based Violence Action Coalition at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, making 12 concrete commitments to be achieved by 2026. The government pledged to invest an initial $23 million (approx. KES 3 billion), scaling up to $50 million (approx. KES 6.5 billion) by 2026 to fund GBV prevention and response. The roadmap included establishing shelters in all 47 counties, fully implementing existing laws, and improving data collection to better inform programming.

A Chasm Between Pledges and Reality

Despite these bold commitments, the situation on the ground remains dire. According to a 2022 national survey, about one in three Kenyan women have experienced physical violence since age 15. The economic toll is staggering, with one report estimating that GBV costs the country KES 46 billion annually in lost productivity and medical expenses. Civil society organizations warn that a funding crisis, exacerbated by cuts in international aid, is crippling essential services. A UN Women report noted that over 40% of organisations globally have been forced to scale back lifesaving services like shelters and legal aid.

Key challenges persist across the country:

• Justice System Failures: Survivors face a costly and exhausting path to justice. Many are forced to pay for P3 forms and medical examinations, creating financial barriers that halt legal proceedings before they even begin. Low conviction rates are attributed to delays, witnesses disappearing, and inadequate training for police and prosecutors on handling GBV cases.
• Severe Shelter Shortage: As of mid-2024, only 18 of Kenya's 47 counties had operational GBV shelters, many of which are overcrowded and under-resourced. This leaves survivors in rural and underserved areas with nowhere safe to turn.
• Persistent Harmful Norms: Deeply ingrained patriarchal norms continue to fuel violence. Shockingly, a UN Women-commissioned study found that 30% of women and 19% of men believe a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances.

The Human Cost of Inaction

"Most survivors give up along the way—the process is long, expensive and emotionally draining," noted Irene Mbalilwa, a community liaison officer in Mukuru kwa Njenga, who has seen rape survivors turned away for being unable to pay KES 1,500 for official forms. Her experience reflects a broader systemic failure that silences victims and emboldens perpetrators. The crisis is escalating, with femicide cases reaching a record high in 2024. This violence doesn't just break lives; it breaks families and weakens the nation's economic foundation by limiting women's ability to work and contribute.

As the 2026 deadline approaches, activists and civil society leaders are calling for urgent, decisive action. "The deadline is not just a date on a calendar; it represents a promise to every woman and girl," emphasized Anne Ireri, Executive Director of FIDA-Kenya. "A promise we are currently breaking."