National and County Leadership Unite to Tackle GBV in Isiolo County

High-level engagements between the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and both national and county leadership in Isiolo County have yielded firm commitments to strengthen efforts in eliminating genderbased violence (GBV) and enhancing access to justice for vulnerable populations.

Led by Commission Chairperson Hon. Rehema Jaldesa, the NGEC delegation began its campaign activities last week with a strategic courtesy call to Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding. During the meeting, the Chairperson underscored the urgent need to de-normalize domestic violence and dismantle the culture of silence surrounding GBV. Commissioner Omoding pledged the full backing of the national government in supporting county-level awareness campaigns and safeguarding the rights of at-risk groups, including women, girls, and persons with disabilities.

In a subsequent engagement at the Isiolo County Headquarters, the delegation was received by Deputy Governor Dr. James Lowasa.

Dr. Lowasa outlined key county government interventions already in place to combat GBV and inequality, including the rollout of Child Protection, Social Protection, and Anti-FGM Policies, alongside initiatives for women’s economic empowerment and youth skills development.

Dr. Lowasa appealed for NGEC’s technical and policy support in establishing a Safe House for GBV survivors in Isiolo and drew attention to the gender-differentiated impact of climate change, particularly on pastoralist households, which are increasingly vulnerable to displacement, resource conflict, and insecurity.

Later, Hon. Jaldesa addressed the Isiolo County Stakeholders Forum on GBV Prevention and Access to Justice, convened in collaboration with the Equality and Inclusion Technical Working Group.

She called for the strengthening of inter-agency coordination, improvement of survivor-centered response systems, and deeper investment in communitydriven prevention strategies.

County leadership, civil society actors, and justice sector stakeholders present reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated, multisectoral approaches to eradicate violence —especially against women and girls—and to embed gender equality at the heart of Isiolo’s development agenda.

The campaign forms part of NGEC’s broader strategy to deepen subnational partnerships and institutionalize equality and inclusion in Kenya’s devolved governance framework.

NGEC Chair Hon. Rehema Jaldesa, Vice Chair Thomas Koyier, Commissioners, CEO Dr. Purity Ngina, and the Isiolo team during a courtesy call on Isiolo County Commissioner Geofrey Omoding to strengthen collaboration on equality and inclusion