Is incest a crime in Kenya?
Sexual Offences Act, 2006 · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Yes. A sexual act or penetration with a close relative you know is your relative is incest, punishable by at least 10 years in prison. If the victim is under 18, the sentence can be life imprisonment, and consent is no defence.
- Where
- Nearest police station (999, 112 or 911), GBV helpline 1195, or Child Helpline 116 for children
Steps
- Report to the nearest police station, or call 999, 112 or 911 in an emergency.
- Call the free GBV helpline 1195 for counselling and referral, day or night.
- If a child is involved, anyone can report to the nearest authorised officer, such as a police officer, chief or children's officer.
- Where the accused lives in the same house or is the child's parent or guardian, the court can order the accused out of the house until the case is decided.
Watch out
- Attempted incest is also a crime, with at least 10 years in prison.
- The accused is presumed to have known about the relationship unless they prove otherwise.
- Where the victim is under 18, it makes no difference that they agreed; the sentence can be life imprisonment.
Who this covers
- Covers a man with his daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, niece, aunt or grandmother.
- Covers a woman with her son, father, grandson, grandfather, brother, nephew or uncle.
- Half-brothers and half-sisters and adoptive brothers and sisters count, whether or not the parents were married.
Official sources (4)
- Sexual Offences Act (No. 3 of 2006) new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Children Act, 2022 (No. 29 of 2022), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 119 judiciary.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Kenya Police Service home page kenyapolice.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- GBV Prevention and Response migecah.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026