A recent survey conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has found that Trans Nzoia County has the highest prevalence of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) cases among women aged 15-49 years, with 29% of women reporting such cases. This is followed closely by Machakos and Kericho Counties, which have a 28% prevalence of TFGBV. On the other hand, Wajir and Mandera Counties have the lowest prevalence of TFGBV, with only 2% of women reporting such cases.
The KNBS survey, which was part of the Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2025/2026, found that TFGBV is perpetrated through various digital platforms, including social media, messaging apps, and online control. The most common forms of TFGBV reported by women include online control, online harassment, hacking, and online sexual harassment/sexual abuse. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 19% of women reported experiencing online control, 5% reported online harassment, and 5% reported hacking.
The survey also found that the majority of TFGBV cases are perpetrated by people known to the victims. Current husbands or intimate partners are the most common perpetrators of TFGBV, accounting for 61% of cases, followed by former husbands or intimate partners (22%), and strangers (13%). For never-married women and those who have never had an intimate partner, the most common perpetrators of TFGBV are strangers (45%), online attackers (23%), and friends or acquaintances (20%).
Social media platforms are also a common avenue for TFGBV, with Facebook being the most commonly reported platform, accounting for 59% of cases. Messaging apps are also a popular platform for TFGBV, with 47% of women reporting such cases. The survey also found that children in Kenya are also vulnerable to technology-facilitated abuse and sexual exploitation.
A report by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that millions of children in Kenya are not safe online, with digital technologies perpetuating harm. According to the report, up to 1,292,364 children aged between 12 and 17 were subjected to at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse. The findings were from a survey conducted between 2020-2021 and 2024-2025, which found that 26.83% of children in Kenya using the internet were subjected to at least one form of abuse.
The UNICEF report also found that the majority of children who were abused online were exposed to unwanted sexual content online, with at least 995,260 children exposed to sexual images or videos they did not want to see. The report highlights the need for increased measures to protect children online and prevent technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation.
The findings of the KNBS and UNICEF reports highlight the need for increased awareness and action to prevent TFGBV and technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation in Kenya. The government, civil society, and other stakeholders must work together to address the root causes of TFGBV and ensure that victims receive the support and protection they need.
Key points
- Trans Nzoia County has the highest prevalence of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) cases among women aged 15-49 years, with 29% of women reporting such cases.
- Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, are a common avenue for TFGBV, with 59% of cases reported on the platform.
- Children in Kenya are also vulnerable to technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation, with up to 1,292,364 children aged between 12 and 17 subjected to at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse.
