GBV and Sexual Harassment Reporting Channels at Kenyan Universities
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • Student Life
Kenyan public universities are expected to run a functioning gender and sexual harassment reporting office, usually attached to the dean of students or a dedicated gender office. Report an incident there in writing, and use FIDA Kenya or the police for free legal help if the university process stalls.
📩 Report to your university's gender office, dean of students, or designated GBV committee first.
🎓 Kenya's Sexual Offences Act criminalizes rape, defilement, and sexual harassment, giving you a route outside the university too.
The Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (FIDA Kenya) offers free legal aid to survivors of gender based violence.
Keep written records of dates, messages, and witnesses, since universities investigate complaints faster with clear evidence.
Report directly to the police under the Sexual Offences Act regardless of what the university process decides.
Where reports go on campus
Kenyan public universities operate under the Universities Act, 2012, and the Commission for University Education (CUE) expects each institution to run a functioning student welfare structure, which normally includes a channel for gender based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment complaints. In practice, this is usually the office of the dean of students, a gender office, or a specific GBV or harassment committee named in the university's student handbook.
Ask your students affairs office which office handles GBV and harassment cases if you cannot find this in your handbook. Larger universities such as the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University run dedicated gender offices separate from general student welfare, while smaller institutions route these cases through the dean of students directly.
What counts as a reportable incident
Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or touching by staff or students.
Demands for sex in exchange for grades, recommendation letters, or academic favors.
Stalking, intimidation, or threats connected to a rejected advance.
Physical or sexual assault, including incidents that happen off campus but involve another student or staff member.
How to make a report
Write down what happened as soon as possible, including the date, time, location, and any witnesses.
Submit your complaint in writing to the relevant office rather than relying only on a verbal conversation, since a written complaint is easier for the university to act on and gives you a record if you need to escalate later.
Ask the office to confirm in writing that they have received your complaint and what happens next. A functioning process keeps your identity confidential from the accused and other students during the investigation, though the accused has a right to know the substance of the allegation to respond to it.
Support outside the university
Kenya's Sexual Offences Act, 2006 criminalizes rape, defilement, sexual harassment, and related offenses, and applies regardless of whether the university has its own process. Report directly to the nearest police station or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (FIDA Kenya) offers free legal aid, counseling referrals, and court support to survivors of gender based violence, including students. Reach out to FIDA Kenya for legal advice on filing a police report or pursuing a case alongside or instead of your university's internal process.
If the university process stalls
If your university does not respond within a reasonable time or you are unhappy with the outcome, escalate in writing to the vice chancellor's office and request an update in writing. Raise unresolved cases with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, or seek advice from a university legal aid clinic where one exists.