Janet Sudi, MCIPR

From box savings to shared aspirations! The HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh heard how the Village Savings & Loan Association of 21 members is pooling resources, supporting one another to invest, grow, and weather challenges.

IG KANJA GRACES THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FLAGSHIP EVENT AT THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER’S RESIDENCE The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, yesterday, 4th December 2025, joined the global community in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence during a flagship event hosted at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Nairobi. This year’s observance is anchored on the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” The Inspector General, who was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Mr. Gilbert Masengeli, was warmly received by the Acting British High Commissioner, Dr. Ed Barnett. The gathering brought together key stakeholders committed to addressing emerging forms of gender-based violence, particularly those propagated through digital platforms. In his keynote address, delivered in his capacity as Chief Guest, the Inspector General underscored the longstanding and strategic partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom—one rooted in shared values, mutual interests, and a collective vision for safer communities. He remarked that the collaboration has yielded significant benefits and that the forum presents yet another opportunity to deepen cooperation in tackling evolving security concerns. The Inspector General expressed concern over the rising prevalence of digital violence, noting that online harassment, cyberstalking, identity misuse, and coordinated digital attacks increasingly expose women and girls to multifaceted harm. These violations, he observed, often translate into serious real-life consequences and mirror broader challenges within the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Many cases, he noted, remain unreported due to fear, stigma, shame, and pressure to resolve incidents informally, outside legal channels. He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to addressing this “dark figure of crime” through enhanced survivor-friendly reporting mechanisms and dignified avenues for redress. The Inspector General further highlighted ongoing progress under the UK-funded REINVENT (Reducing Insecurity and Violent Extremism) programme, which continues to strengthen the investigative capabilities of police officers. The initiative has supported the establishment of POLICARE—a one-stop centre offering comprehensive SGBV response services—and facilitated the creation and reinforcement of gender desks in police stations across the country. Mr. Kanja commended the partnership between the National Police Service and REINVENT, supported by the British High Commission, describing it as a key driver of the Service’s reform agenda. He reaffirmed the NPS’s dedication to further enhancing Kenya–UK security and development cooperation for the welfare of women, girls, and communities at large. The event was attended by the Deputy British High Commissioner, Ms. Diana Dalton; the Director of Gender-Based Violence Mitigation at the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Mr. Michael Kariuki; the CEO and Secretary of the National Gender and Equality Commission, Dr. Purity Ngina; the Director of Training and Research (KPS), Mr. David Birech, SAIG; and Ms. Cecily Gatiti, CP from the National Police Leadership Academy, among other senior officials.