NAIROBI, Kenya — A government-appointed taskforce investigating the surge in gender-based violence (GBV) has recommended the introduction of chemical castration as a deterrent for sexual offenders, marking one of the most far-reaching proposals in Kenya’s criminal justice reforms.
The recommendations are contained in a report presented to President William Ruto on Monday by a multi-agency taskforce chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Barasa.
The panel is calling for amendments to the Sexual Offences Act of 2006 to allow the use of chemical castration in cases involving child defilement and abuse of persons with disabilities.
Chemical castration involves the use of medication to suppress the production of sex hormones, significantly reducing sexual drive.
The method is already in use in several countries, including France, the United States, Indonesia and South Korea.
According to the taskforce, the measure is aimed at preventing repeat offences by intervening at the earliest stage of sexual criminal behaviour.
While controversial, the proposal revives a long-standing debate in Kenya. In 2005, then-nominated MP Njoki Ndung’u unsuccessfully pushed a private member’s bill—popularly known as the Castration Bill—seeking tougher punishment for sexual offenders.
Similar calls resurfaced in 2020 when the Kibera Young Women’s Network petitioned Parliament to allow castration for men who sexually abuse children, citing high defilement rates in informal settlements.
Currently, Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya has a bill before Parliament seeking similar amendments.
The taskforce’s proposal aligns with these earlier efforts but expands the scope to cover both male and female offenders targeting children and persons living with disabilities.
It also recommends the creation of a specialised police unit dedicated to investigating sexual offences.
“Amend the Sexual Offences Act 2006 to include chemical castration for both male and female child defilers and defilers of PWDs,” the report states.
Beyond punitive measures, the taskforce paints a grim picture of sexual and gender-based violence as a national crisis, disproportionately affecting women and children, though men are also victims.
Barasa urged President Ruto to formally declare GBV and femicide a national emergency, arguing that the scale and brutality of the crimes demand urgent, coordinated and survivor-centred interventions.
Among the key proposals is the recognition of femicide as a distinct and aggravated offence under the Penal Code.
This, the panel says, would allow for specialised investigations, harsher penalties and acknowledgment of the gendered motivations behind the killings.
The report also calls for an outright ban on out-of-court settlements in GBV and femicide cases, warning that such agreements often deny victims justice and enable repeat offending.
On prevention, the taskforce recommends a nationwide awareness campaign led from the Presidency and the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in short-term rental facilities such as Airbnbs, which it identifies as high-risk locations for sexual crimes.
“This is where most of the femicide is taking place,” Barasa said.
To support sustained interventions, the panel proposes the establishment of a ring-fenced GBV and Femicide Response Fund, financed through government allocations, private sector contributions and development partners.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo welcomed the report, describing it as “a collective hope and expectation of millions of Kenyans,” and pledged that her ministry would coordinate the implementation of the recommendations.
