By Merceline Nasambu
Bungoma county has been categorized among the five leading counties in Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Speaking during the Second Annual National General Conference on Technology facilitated gender based violence(TFGBV) in universities and TVETs in Kenya held in Bungoma county at kibabii university on 8th December 2025, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka stated that the county is leading in GBV and called on stakeholders to address it.
He reiterated that cybercrime and cyber bulling has engineered the increase of GBV being a challenge that has affected mostly Women and girls particularly students domiciled in the universities and Tvet institutions.
He urged Bungoma residents to ensure that the digital space just like our physical one remain safe places for every Kenyan.
“Research universities and tvets must lead in generating data documenting emerging trends and understanding the waving dynamics of (TFGBV) and also innovation students and faculties have the capacity to pioneer digital saving tools, reporting platforms and artificial technology to enable monitoring technologies that can protect online users,” he said.
He also urged that eradication of cyber bulling must be a collective responsibility of everyone, as Kenya forges ahead in the digital World, no one is left vulnerable or unadvocated while applauding learning institutions for being the most powerful incubators of ideas, research, innovation and social transformation.
Youth affair, creative economy and sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya insisted that GBV is an issue that the society need to keep voicing and talking about because its not just enough to just sensitize but keep on discussing because it’s a major national conversation.
Mvurya mentioned personal transformation as the main issue that will bring change calling on everyone to have a reason for using technology.
“When using technology ask yourself am I using this to profile my career, advance progression of another person or drag my career and those of others behind?, “ he paused.
Harriet Chigai, the advisor on matters of Women rights in the office of the president warned that legislation of bad manners terming the bad manners as insultation, beating and cyber bullying against women and girls.
He valled upon every individual to create a safe space for women and girls by ensuring no cyber bullying, impersonation, extortion, digital stocking and non-concessional sharing of our images since the government has already played its part by putting policies , legislation and law enforcement agencies in place.
“FTGBV is harming mental health and stealing dignity quietly, quickly and listlessly, “she added.
She expressed her fear that the data shows 90% of young girls have witnessed TFGBV with 39% reported personal experience and they are twice more likely to face online harassments.
