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Kenyan women are pushing for decisive action on femicide. On December 10, thousands plan to march in the streets to demand an end to the killings.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, femicide refers to intentional killings of women and girls for gender-related reasons, including beliefs that grant men more power, the desire to enforce traditional gender roles, or punish perceived unacceptable behavior.
Similarly, the European Institute for Gender Equality describes femicide as the most severe manifestation of gender-based violence, rooted in societal power imbalances.
A coalition of leading Kenyan human rights organizations issued a joint statement on October 29, 2024, urging President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis.
The coalition called for a coordinated government response, citing a troubling rise in brutal murders of women and girls.
In January 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported 94 cases of women and girls killed between 2021 and 2024, with 65 suspects charged in connection with these murders.
Some recent cases have stirred public outrage, including:
- In Baringo, a 25-year-old man was arrested after his wife’s decomposing body was found, reportedly following a domestic dispute.
- In Kiambaa, police discovered the mutilated body of 19-year-old Sharon Atieno, who had been killed after leaving home for a walk.
- The arrest of Hashim Dagane Muhumed in connection with the murders of a mother, her daughter, and her 12-year-old niece in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
- Socialite Wahu and 20-year-old student Rita Waeni, both of whom were found dead under suspicious circumstances.
- Six bodies recently discovered in the Kware dumpsite in Embakasi.
President Ruto has called on security agencies to combat the femicide crisis. “I know that recently we have seen incidents of our girls, mothers, and women being murdered in cold blood,” he said.
“The DCI and all investigative authorities must stand up to these criminals and deal with them decisively.”
He also urged society to be vigilant, warning of criminals who lure women and girls into unsafe situations. “We must all be on the lookout as a nation,” he added.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat acknowledged a sharp rise in murder and manslaughter cases, revealing that 97 femicide cases have been reported across the country in the past three months alone.
However, he noted that significant progress has been made in investigating these cases.
“We urge every member of society, including government, civil, and religious leaders, to engage in this crucial dialogue,” he said. “Collective action can help us eradicate the scourge of femicide and safeguard the lives of our citizens.”
by MAUREEN WARUINGE
