The High Court in Nakuru dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the gender‑based violence and femicide taskforce, finding that President William Ruto acted within his executive authority.

Justice Patricia Gichohi held that the President’s Executive Order and Gazette Notice of January 2025 were valid exercises of the powers granted by Article 129 of the Constitution.

The petitioners, led by Magare‑Gikenyi and three others, argued that the taskforce duplicated the mandate of the National Gender and Equality Commission and misused public funds, but the court found no constitutional breach.

The judge clarified that the taskforce is limited to investigating trends, hotspots and causes of gender‑based violence and providing advice to the President, without any power to make binding decisions.

The ruling leaves Gazette Notice No. 109 (9 January 2025) and its extension Gazette Notice No. 3862 (28 March 2025) fully in force, preserving the taskforce’s mandate.

Petition relief sought and court’s response

The petitioners sought orders declaring the taskforce unconstitutional, cancelling the establishing gazette notices and holding the President personally liable for the taskforce’s expenditures, but the court rejected all of those relief measures.

The Attorney General, the National Gender and Equality Commission and the Principal Secretary for Gender defended the taskforce as an ad‑hoc body needed to address a national concern without encroaching on NGEC’s statutory duties.