NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a comprehensive new strategy aimed at strengthening its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide across the country.
The plan, outlined in a newly released Strategic Plan, introduces a proactive approach focused on operational efficiency, capacity building, public engagement, and prevention.
Central to the strategy is the digitization of key documentation such as the P3 and Post-Rape Care (PRC) forms.
The NPS aims to streamline case management and enhance access to critical survivor services. In a move to further improve case tracking, the police plan to integrate the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) into their internal case tracking system.
This will provide real-time data access, minimize case duplication, and improve the efficiency of investigations.
Additionally, the NPS has proposed the creation of a dedicated offender registry for individuals involved in femicide and repeat GBV offenses.
The registry is expected to help track offenders and improve public safety by providing law enforcement with vital information on repeat offenders.
In an effort to enhance police capacity to respond to GBV cases, the NPS is prioritizing trauma-informed care and crime scene management training for officers, particularly first responders and investigators.
Specialized units such as child protection and gender units will be established at police stations nationwide to ensure that officers are equipped to handle GBV cases with professionalism and empathy.
A special focus will also be placed on inclusivity, including training officers to respond effectively to survivors with language barriers and disabilities.
Recognizing the growing issue of technology-facilitated GBV (TFGBV), the NPS has committed to providing targeted digital forensic training to its officers.
This will equip them with the necessary skills to investigate online abuse and ensure that the digital dimension of GBV is adequately addressed.
The NPS is also calling for cross-sector training, involving prosecutors, health professionals, and judiciary members, to create a seamless support system for survivors and strengthen the prosecution of offenders.
In a bid to make justice more accessible, the NPS advocates for the creation of Gender Justice Courts in every county.
These specialized courts would fast-track the processing of GBV and femicide cases, ensuring survivors get timely justice.
To improve the accessibility of reporting, the NPS plans to promote confidential reporting channels, such as anonymous hotlines and mobile apps.
Officers may also be stationed at key hospitals, especially Level 4 and referral facilities, to provide immediate support to survivors.
On the public engagement front, the NPS intends to lead and co-host community dialogues that focus on promoting positive masculinity and raising awareness of GBV laws.
Public education campaigns will be rolled out to encourage bystander intervention and teach the public how to effectively report cases of GBV.
However, the success of these efforts depends largely on adequate funding.
The NPS has called for increased budget allocations to support logistics, including survivor meals, sanitary supplies, and infrastructure improvements.
It also plans to implement monitoring frameworks and conduct periodic audits to ensure accountability.
Additionally, the police service is working on the fast-tracking of Pollicare centers in partnership with county governments and private stakeholders.
To fully embrace these reforms, the NPS stressed the importance of collaboration with both state and non-state actors, including amendments to the Sexual Offences Act and the development of County Referral Mechanisms and GBV Protection Centers.
These collaborative efforts will align with international standards and ensure that prevention, rather than merely response, becomes the focus of GBV interventions.
The NPS concluded that the battle against GBV and femicide goes beyond institutional reforms.
It requires a deep cultural transformation and a commitment to a preventative mindset across all levels of society.
Through these proposed changes, the NPS is aiming to not only address the immediate needs of survivors but also to foster a more proactive, compassionate, and effective law enforcement approach to tackling one of Kenya’s most persistent societal issues.
