Gender-based violence in Kenya has risen by as much as 92% during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest government data.

The biggest rise was during the first half of last year when coronavirus restrictions led to more than one-and-a-half million people being laid off from their jobs.

The most common forms of violence included physical assault, sexual violence and child neglect.

The Ministry of Public Service and Gender cited poverty and drug abuse as common triggers. It also blamed identity crisis, poor parenting and moral decadence as emerging issues among the youth.

To try and alleviate these problems, the government said it had set up cash transfers to poor families, affirmative funding for women and young people as well as awareness programmes targeting men.

Kenya has been under a curfew for more than a year and is currently struggling to contain a third wave of the coronavirus.