Kenya’s GBV Taskforce Proposes Chemical 'Fix' and Legal Reforms to Tackle Child Sexual Abuse

By benadeta mwaura - Reporter

Kenya, January 27 2026 - A government appointed Technical Working Group (TWG) on Gender Based Violence (GBV) has recommended a suite of legal and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Kenya’s response to sexual offences against children, including the controversial proposal to introduce chemical castration for child sex offenders as part of the sentencing framework.

The recommendations, presented by the taskforce chaired by Nancy Baraza, reflect growing public concern about the prevalence of sexual abuse and the perceived inadequacy of existing penalties to deter repeat offenders.

Speaking on national television, Baraza said the recommendation for chemical castration was informed by the alarming frequency with which children, both boys and girls, are sexually violated by those entrusted with their care, including parents and guardians.

According to her, the measure is intended to reduce libido in repeat offenders, thereby protecting potential victims while being accompanied by psychosocial support where necessary. Chemical castration involves the medical suppression of sex hormones through injections, implants or medication, leading to a significant reduction in sexual drive.

The treatment’s effects are reversible if discontinued, and it is recommended to be applied continuously as part of the offender’s supervision regime. The proposal clarifies that this form of intervention would complement, not replace, existing sentencing such as custodial terms and rehabilitation.

The taskforce also proposed a broader package of reforms to strengthen Kenya’s legal framework on GBV. These include amending the Sexual Offences Act, 2006 to bar survivors of gender based violence from withdrawing cases once prosecution has begun, and introducing a six month timeline for hearing and determining GBV cases, reducing delays that have long frustrated survivors seeking justice.

Additional recommendations call for changes to the Penal Code to define femicide as a distinct offence, separate from general murder, and for amendments to the Political Parties Act and Elections Act to address GBV during political processes.

The recommended legislative changes also include tightening the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act to fully criminalise the practice, and making interference in GBV cases, including family or clanled settlements and coercion of survivors to withdraw complaints, a punishable offence.

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If adopted by Parliament and the executive, these changes would signal a major shift in how Kenya prosecutes and punishes genderbased violence, especially crimes against children. The renewed focus on chemical castration is not entirely new in Kenya’s legal history. A similar provision was once included in a bill introduced by then Senator Njoki Ndung’u in 2006 but was later withdrawn amid controversy to allow the broader Sexual Offences Act to pass.

Taskforce members argue that by targeting only offenders convicted of sexual crimes against children, rather than applying it broadly, the proposal can serve as a necessary additional safeguard without overextending its application.

Kenya would join a small group of countries, including Poland, South Korea and Indonesia, that have implemented chemical castration as a preventive measure for sexual offences, particularly those involving minors.

The recommendations come against a broader backdrop of public and institutional mobilisation to address GBV. Recent reports and engagements across counties have spotlighted how retrogressive cultural practices, impunity and inadequate enforcement have hampered progress in preventing sexual violence, particularly in Western and rural regions where community norms sometimes obstruct justice.

While the taskforce’s proposals aim to bolster law enforcement and sentencing, stakeholders emphasise that legal reforms must be paired with stronger protective services, community education, and victim support systems.

Observers caution that measures like chemical castration, though controversial, must be implemented within a framework that upholds human rights, rigorous due process, and effective rehabilitation. As Parliament considers the recommendations, debate is expected to intensify over the balance between deterrence, punishment and rehabilitation in Kenya’s efforts to confront GBV and protect children from sexual abuse.