In a groundbreaking move to combat escalating gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, a high-level taskforce led by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza has recommended mandatory chemical castration for convicted child sex offenders. The Technical Working Group on GBV, which includes femicide, submitted its explosive report to President William Ruto on January 26, 2026, calling for sweeping legal reforms to end Kenya’s silent epidemic of sexual violence.
The proposal targets repeat child defilers—often relatives or guardians—by amending the Sexual Offences Act of 2006. Courts would impose chemical castration alongside imprisonment, using injections, implants, or oral medication to suppress sex hormones like testosterone, drastically reducing libido. The treatment is reversible but requires ongoing administration under medical supervision, paired with psychosocial support. “Children are facing grave violations from those meant to protect them,” Baraza emphasised during the report handover. The measure applies to both male and female offenders, focusing on defilement of minors and vulnerable persons with disabilities.
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