“Behind every femicide statistic is the story of an individual woman or girl who has been failed. These deaths are preventable—the tools and the knowledge to do so already exist.” – UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
KELIN expresses deep concern over recent media reports on the gruesome murder of women in Kenya. Some of these ordeals include the killing of Starlet Wahu in cold blood and the bizarre case of an unidentified woman, whose remains were found in Kasarani with some body parts missing. These incidents contribute to a growing number of reported femicide cases in 2024.
Femicide, described as the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, represents an extreme form of violence rooted in harmful beliefs. Reports indicate that perpetrators often precede femicide with other forms of intimate partner violence, such as strangulation and rape. These occurrences are evidence of the devaluation of the lives of women and girls in Kenya.
A report titled “Homicide Country Data” released in 2022 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) states that 706 cases of femicide, or 2.64 cases per 100,000 women, occurred in Kenya in 2021. The report highlighted that over the past decade, the overall number of female homicides has remained largely unchanged, underscoring the urgency to prevent and respond to this scourge with stronger actions.
Despite an enabling legal environment, Kenya has witnessed an increasing number of femicide cases over the years. Undoubtedly, there is a huge gap in the implementation of laws and policies intended to protect women. It is sad to state that there are no official government records on femicide cases in Kenya. This makes it difficult to tailor make interventions to curb femicide. KELIN notes an alarming rise in cases from 111 in 2019 to 152 in 2023, with five reported cases so far in 2024 as reported by Counting Dead Women, Kenya[1].
The victim-blaming on social media adds to the distress, reflecting a reluctance to challenge comforting worldviews. KELIN condemns this blame-shifting and highlights the emotional toll it takes on the families of the victims. Furthermore, we would like to point out the failure of the National Police Service to prosecute cases of femicide and gender-based violence. One good example is the prolonged inaction in prosecuting John Matara, against whom several reports have been made by victims. The National Police Service has failed women in Kenya, and it is high time that they take responsibility and take steps towards; effectively investigating all alleged incidents of violence against women; conduct all investigations in a manner that respects the rights and needs of each woman without needlessly adding to the existing burden experienced by the victim; and take action to support and protect all victims of femicide and gender-based violence.
KELIN calls on the State Department of Gender to establish a femicide watch and/or observatory to recommend preventive measures and collect data on femicides. We also urge the National Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Judiciary to fulfil their due diligence obligations, ensuring justice for victims and deterring potential offenders.
In closing, we echo Ban Ki Moon’s assertion: ‘There is one universal truth applicable to all countries, cultures, and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.’
KELIN remains steadfast in advocating for the rights and safety of women and girls in Kenya.
[1] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/audrey-mugeni-m_kenyas-femicide-count-official-site-activity-7153821816589844483-wuwr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
