FIDA-Kenya Proposes Stronger Legal Safeguards in Criminal Law Reform Bills

On 2nd July 2026, FIDA-Kenya’s Executive Director, Ms Sophie Kaibiria, presented a Memorandum of Views on two legislative bills: the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2026, to the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, chaired by Hon. George Gitonga Murugara, MP, at Bunger Towers.

 

During her presentation, Ms Kaibiria suggested important changes to make the two bills stronger, more gender-responsive, survivor-centred, and in line with the Constitution and international human rights standards. FIDA-Kenya supports the overall goal of reforming Kenya’s criminal justice laws, but encourages Parliament to update the bills so they better protect the rights of women, children, intersex people, and people with disabilities, and ensure survivor-centred justice in criminal cases.

 

The organisation also backed stronger protections against sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the protection of women’s property, land, and reproductive rights. FIDA-Kenya further supported actions to address new types of online gender-based violence and called for all reforms to follow the Constitution and Kenya’s regional and international human rights commitments. These proposals aim to close legal gaps that could put women, children, and other vulnerable groups at risk, while building a criminal justice system that meets today’s human rights challenges. 

 

Also present from FIDA-Kenya was Ms. Tracey Lichuma, Legal Counsel.