Digital technologies have the potential to significantly improve the quality of public services, especially when they are designed to support the most vulnerable members of society. This has been demonstrated by the successful implementation of the project “Development of the Digital Platform for Gender-Based Violence and Persons with Disabilities Case Management and Reporting in Nakuru County”, funded by the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund and implemented in partnership between the Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (Lithuania) and the County Government of Nakuru (Kenya).
The project led to the development and deployment of a digital platform that enables more effective coordination of support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), streamlines the administration of services for persons with disabilities (PWDs), and strengthens collaboration among the institutions responsible for providing these services.
The project was implemented to contribute to the digital transformation of Kenya’s public sector and improve access to essential public services. Before its implementation, information on GBV cases and services for persons with disabilities was often recorded on paper or stored across multiple disconnected systems. This made information management more difficult, delayed decision-making, and limited the effective coordination of assistance.
From Needs Assessment to a Fully Operational Digital Solution
At the beginning of the project, a comprehensive assessment was carried out within the Nakuru County Department of Gender, Sports, Social Services and Inclusivity. Experts from Lithuania and Kenya jointly analysed existing workflows, identified key operational challenges, and explored solutions that would best meet the needs of local institutions.
Throughout the project, meetings and stakeholder discussions were held with the Nakuru and Nairobi County governments. These engagements provided an opportunity to present Lithuanian and European best practices in public sector digitalisation while discussing how innovative technological solutions could be successfully adapted to Kenya’s public sector.
Based on the findings of the assessment, a digital platform tailored to the daily operational needs of Nakuru County officers was developed and deployed. The project also included system testing, user training, and capacity-building activities to prepare staff for the use of the platform. As a result, the system had already become an active working tool before the official completion of the project.
The Platform Enables Faster and More Effective Service Delivery
The platform consists of two main modules: one for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management and another for the administration of services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Through the GBV module, reports of suspected or confirmed cases of gender-based violence can be submitted by survivors, members of the public, or professionals working in education, healthcare, social services, and other relevant institutions. The system enables authorised officers to monitor each case in real time, coordinate interventions with partner agencies, and ensure that survivors receive timely and appropriate support.
The PWD module allows residents to submit applications online or via mobile phone for assistive devices, participation in economic empowerment programmes, tax relief, and other county services. All applications are managed through a single digital platform, enabling officers to track progress, coordinate service delivery, generate statistical reports, and make evidence-based decisions when planning social support programmes. By digitising these processes, the platform reduces administrative workload, improves data accuracy, and helps residents access the support they need more quickly.
Early Results Demonstrate the Platform’s Impact
The platform was piloted and brought into operation during the implementation of the project, allowing its impact to be assessed even before the project’s official completion.
So far, 54 Gender-Based Violence cases have been registered through the system, while 216 applicationshave been submitted through the Persons with Disabilities module. These figures do not indicate an increase in the number of incidents or needs; rather, they demonstrate that support services have become more visible, better coordinated, and easier to manage. County officers can now respond more rapidly to residents’ needs, monitor the progress of every case, and strengthen collaboration among the institutions involved in service delivery.
According to Gladys Jemuge Kamuren, Chief Officer for Gende, Social Services and Inclusivity, County Government of Nakuru, the project’s greatest value lies not only in the technology itself but in stronger cooperation between institutions.
“This platform has strengthened collaboration among all institutions and service providers involved in supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Once a case is reported, the responsible officer can immediately take action and ensure that the necessary assistance is provided without delay. At the same time, the platform has simplified the administration of services for persons with disabilities. Residents can now submit applications more easily, while officers are able to manage all information within one integrated system. This enables faster decision-making and improves access to essential public services.”
Vaidas Velykis, Director of Erobotai, the Lithuanian company that developed the platform, highlighted that one of the key factors behind the project’s success was close cooperation with the Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts and Nakuru County specialists, which made it possible to build a solution that meets users’ real needs.
“Our biggest challenge was understanding local working practices and designing a solution that would fit naturally into everyday operations. We developed the platform together with its future users, ensuring that every feature addresses a real operational need. We believe that the best technological solutions are those that allow professionals to spend more time supporting people and less time on routine administrative work.”
Jolanta Lapinskaitė-Vaitulionienė, Project Manager, emphasised that the project’s most important achievement is the strong partnership that has created lasting value.
“This project has once again demonstrated that digital transformation is about much more than introducing new technologies. Real change begins when solutions are designed together with the people who will use them. Working alongside specialists from Nakuru County, our goal was not only to digitise processes but also to create a system that enables faster decision-making, strengthens institutional cooperation, and improves access to public services for residents. I believe this partnership will provide a strong foundation for the continued digital transformation of public services across Kenya.”
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability and Impact
Although the project is coming to an end, its impact will continue well into the future. The digital platform will remain in use within the County Government of Nakuru, where county officers will continue to use the system in their day-to-day work.
The experience gained throughout the project and the successful implementation of the platform provide a strong foundation for expanding similar digital solutions to other counties across Kenya and to additional areas of public service delivery.
This project stands as an excellent example of successful cooperation between Lithuania and Kenya, demonstrating how international partnerships, technical expertise, and innovative digital solutions can contribute to more efficient public services and improve access to essential support for the people who need it most.
