Nakuru County is strengthening the response to sexual and gender-based violence through the use of digital technology that supports accurate documentation, secure evidence management, and stronger coordination between the health and justice systems. The County Department of Health Services, in partnership with Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), is currently conducting an evaluation of the implementation of MediCapt, a digital platform used to document and manage sexual violence cases within public health facilities.
The evaluation is focused on assessing how MediCapt has been integrated into routine service delivery, its effectiveness in supporting investigations and prosecutions, and the experience of healthcare workers using the system. The exercise is part of broader county efforts to ensure that survivors of sexual violence receive timely care while also strengthening accountability for perpetrators through credible and well-documented evidence.
MediCapt is a secure digital application that enables trained healthcare providers to capture medico-legal information directly at the point of care. The platform allows for the structured recording of clinical findings, injuries, and survivor accounts using encrypted tools. Once captured, the information is securely stored and can be transmitted to investigators and prosecutors in a format that meets legal requirements.
By replacing paper-based documentation, MediCapt addresses long-standing challenges in the handling of sexual violence cases. Paper records have often been affected by incomplete entries, delayed transmission, loss, or damage, which can weaken cases before they reach court. Digital documentation reduces these risks by standardizing data entry, minimizing errors, and ensuring that records are preserved in their original form.
The use of MediCapt also strengthens coordination between health facilities and the justice system. Medico-legal reports generated through the platform are clearer and easier for investigators and prosecutors to interpret, supporting faster case processing and informed decision-making. This improves the likelihood that cases are pursued and concluded based on evidence that meets legal standards.
Survivor confidentiality is a central component of the system. MediCapt uses encryption and controlled access to protect sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized personnel can view or transmit records. This approach supports survivor dignity while reinforcing professional accountability among service providers involved in case management.
At Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital and Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, the impact of the system is already evident. More than 10 sexual violence cases from these facilities have been successfully prosecuted using MediCapt-generated evidence. These outcomes demonstrate the role of accurate and timely documentation in supporting justice for survivors and reducing the risk of cases collapsing due to weak or missing evidence.
Speaking during the ongoing evaluation, the County Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Coordinator, Jessica Mung’ao, noted that the results from facilities using MediCapt are informing future plans. She stated that the Department of Health is mobilizing resources to expand the system to additional facilities, including remaining Level 4 hospitals and high-volume Level 3 health facilities that handle a significant number of sexual violence cases.
The evaluation process also includes engagement with healthcare workers to understand training needs, workflow integration, and system usability. These insights are expected to guide improvements in implementation and ensure that the technology supports, rather than burdens, frontline providers. Strengthening provider capacity is key to ensuring that survivors receive both quality clinical care and proper documentation from the first point of contact.
The MediCapt initiative aligns with Nakuru County’s commitment to a survivor-centred approach to sexual and gender-based violence. By integrating health services with justice processes, the county is working to ensure that survivors are supported medically and legally, without being subjected to repeated examinations or requests for information that can cause further distress.
Through the evaluation and planned scale-up of MediCapt, Nakuru County is reinforcing the use of technology to improve service delivery, protect survivor rights, and strengthen prosecutions. The initiative reflects a deliberate effort to reduce gaps in evidence management, improve intersectoral collaboration, and support a justice process that is informed by accurate, secure, and timely medical documentation.