How Nakuru plans to fight GBV with new digital information management system

Nakuru County is on a digital trajectory in reporting and tracking Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases.

During the launch of the Information Management System at a multi-sectoral meeting, the county, through its Department of Gender, Social Services, and Inclusivity, noted that the website has been in development for the last seven months, led by their Lithuanian partners. 

They expressed their excitement that the public can now utilize it.

Speaking at the event, Nakuru’s Deputy Governor, David Kones, highlighted the alarming findings of recent research, which indicated that Nakuru is among the counties with the highest number of GBV cases.

“Cases of GBV are rampant, and recent research conducted by Amref has brought to light the harsh reality that Nakuru ranks as the fourth highest region in the country for these cases, with Kuresoi North Sub-county leading this unfortunate statistic,” he notes.

He emphasized that such data is a call to action, stressing the need to leverage digital advancements to mitigate and ultimately eradicate GBV in the region.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Chief Officer for Gender, Gladys Kamuren, described the system as a game-changer in the county’s mission to achieve zero GBV cases.

“The system works in such a way that GBV survivors can easily report cases, even from their phones. This can also be done by Community Health Promoters(CHPs) who are often the first to come into contact with GBV survivors, as well as police officers and health workers,” she explains noting that the system will aid in tracking the progress of reported cases.

Additionally, she notes that this will help develop a database that the county has struggled to compile prior to the system’s launch.

Ms Kamuren further stated that they will backdate some prominent GBV cases in the system to allow for tracking through case managers, who will serve as the direct link between survivors and relevant actors to ensure justice is served.

Echoing her sentiments, Leslie Rono, a researcher and human rights defender attached to Midfift Hurinet, acknowledged the challenges in obtaining consolidated real-time data on GBV prevalence in the county.

“We have had to rely on Kenya Demographic and Health Survey reports, which are not conducted often. Many are times, Kuresoi North has been identified as the leading sub-county in GBV cases. However, it is likely that other regions may have similar or even higher numbers of cases that go unreported, especially in Nakuru’s informal settlements,” she says, emphasizing the need for accurate data collection from the grassroots level up to ensure precise findings.

Additionally, she noted that accurate data will help identify areas where GBV is most prevalent, allowing for targeted interventions rather than a blanket approach to addressing GBV across the county, as some areas experience fewer cases than others.

Rono’s hope is that the system also gets political good and acceptance from the community so that the vision of a GBV free county may one day be realized.