Kenyan women are intensifying their call for urgent action to address femicide, with thousands planning to take to the streets on December 10, 2024, to demand an end to the killings.
Femicide, as defined by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, refers to the deliberate killing of women and girls for gender-based reasons, such as societal beliefs that grant men more power, enforce traditional gender roles, or punish perceived unacceptable behavior. The European Institute for Gender Equality further describes femicide as the most extreme form of gender-based violence, rooted in societal power imbalances.
On October 29, 2024, a coalition of prominent Kenyan human rights organizations issued a joint statement urging President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis. The group called for a coordinated government response, citing a concerning increase in the brutal murders of women and girls.
In January 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that between 2021 and 2024, 94 women and girls had been killed, with 65 suspects charged in connection with these crimes. Several recent cases have sparked public outrage, including:
- The discovery of a woman’s decomposing body in Baringo, with a 25-year-old man arrested following a domestic dispute.
- The mutilated body of 19-year-old Sharon Atieno found in Kiambaa, 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 a niece in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
- The suspicious deaths of socialite Wahu and 20-year-old student Rita Waeni.
- The discovery of six bodies in the Kware dumpsite in Embakasi.
In response to these alarming cases, President Ruto has called on security agencies to act decisively in addressing femicide. “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.”
The President also urged the public to remain vigilant against criminals who may 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 the rising cases of murder and manslaughter, reporting that 97 femicide cases have been recorded nationwide in the past three months alone. However, he emphasized that significant progress is being made in investigating these crimes.
“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.”
