Kenya moves to strengthen protection against tech-facilitated sexual violence

In Kenya, the government is taking measures to strengthen protection against tech-facilitated sexual violence. Queentah Wambulwa, a survivor of this type of abuse, experienced a harrowing incident in 2018 when explicit photos and videos of her were shared on social media by someone she had previously shared them with. This led to immense shame, guilt, anxiety, and depression, forcing her into deep depression, alcohol and drug use, and eventually hospitalization for psychiatric care.

Despite this traumatic experience, Queentah did not receive justice for her perpetrator, who continues to walk free. However, the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2026, if passed, could provide her with some relief. The Bill, recently adopted by the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), aims to criminalize digital and emerging forms of sexual exploitation, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sextortion, stalking, and online grooming.

It also seeks to prohibit informal settlements for sexual offenses, strengthen survivor-centered protections, and impose clearer legal obligations on telecommunication and digital platforms for swift removal of non-consensual intimate content media. The Bill is a significant step towards modernizing Kenya's response to sexual offences, addressing new crimes, and improving the protection, care, and support available to survivors.