What counts as domestic violence under the law
Protection Against Domestic Violence Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Yes, emotional and economic abuse count. Under the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, violence includes physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, verbal and economic abuse, harassment, stalking, intimidation and damage to property, plus practices like child or forced marriage, FGM, forced wife inheritance, interference from in-laws, sexual violence within marriage and widow cleansing, when done by someone you are or were in a domestic relationship with.
- Where
- Resident Magistrate's court for a protection order; any police station to report.
Steps
- A person in a domestic relationship with the abuser can apply to the court for a protection order. For a child, a representative can apply.
- These cases are heard by the Resident Magistrates' Courts.
- Whoever receives or investigates your complaint must tell you about relief available, including shelter and medical help, your right to apply under the Act, and how to make a criminal complaint.
Watch out
- One act can be abuse, and so can a pattern of acts that each look minor on their own.
- Psychological abuse counts even with no physical or sexual abuse or threat of it.
- Domestic violence can also be dealt with as a crime under other laws.
Who this covers
- Anyone who is or was married to the abuser, lives in the same household, was engaged to them, has a child with them, is a family member, or has a close personal relationship with them.
Official sources (1)
- Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, No. 2 of 2015 (Cap. 151) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026