The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has approved the draft Sexual Offences Bill, 2026, marking a significant advancement in Kenya's efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This decision was made during the Council's 38th meeting, which also introduced a series of reforms aimed at improving justice delivery and election preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Modernising Legal Framework Against Sexual Offences

Chief Justice Martha Koome highlighted that the new legislation will address emerging crimes such as technology-facilitated offences and femicide, while enhancing protections and support systems for survivors of SGBV. The bill is set to be submitted to the National Assembly after final revisions.

Strengthening Election Preparedness

Following a briefing from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the NCAJ reactivated its Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness. Chaired by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the committee aims to improve coordination among justice sector agencies to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.

Additional Justice Sector Reforms

  • A revised Identification Parade Form was approved to enhance fairness and uphold human rights during police investigations.
  • Committees were established to explore Specialized Recovery Treatment Courts and Open Prisons, focusing on rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses.
  • National Guidelines on Interviewing Children in the Justice System were considered to safeguard the rights and dignity of child witnesses and victims.
  • Five new reform initiatives were launched, including people-centred justice guidelines, an ICT policy and action plan, and frameworks for managing case backlogs and handling SGBV cases at the grassroots.

Road Safety and Justice

The Council urged continued reforms by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and related agencies to reduce road accidents and improve judicial processes related to road incidents.

Commitment to Collaboration and Accessibility

Chief Justice Koome reassured Kenyans that the justice sector remains functional and committed to collaboration through the NCAJ framework. She emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and digital transformation to make justice delivery more accessible, timely, and centred on the needs of the public.