NAIROBI, Kenya — A coalition of human rights organizations, led by the Federation of Women Lawyers of Kenya (FIDA) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), has issued a powerful call to action, urging the government to declare femicide a national disaster.
With a reported 30 women and girls murdered this year alone, FIDA and its allies argue the rising cases signal a crisis that requires urgent government intervention.
The organisations allege that authorities have inadequately addressed femicides, leaving families devastated and justice elusive.
“In 2024 alone, FIDA-Kenya has tracked 30 cases of women killed, many by intimate partners, as a result of domestic violence and femicide,” said LSK Deputy President Mwaura Kabata.
The call to action includes a specific demand for law enforcement to improve response times and investigations.
FIDA’s agenda also includes legislative reform. The organization plans to lobby for femicide to be recognized as a distinct crime within Kenya’s penal code, pushing to define it separately from general homicide to address the unique patterns and contexts of violence against women.
In a poignant example that underscores the coalition’s concerns, Citizen TV recently covered the funeral of Seth Nyakio, daughter of a Nominated Member of Kirinyaga County Assembly, whose murder at a rental home in Thika epitomizes the brutality of recent femicides.
Her mother, Lucy Njeri, expressed frustration over the slow-moving investigation.
“The police tell us no stone will be left unturned, but where is the action?” she questioned.
The coalition highlighted cases like the “Kware bodies case,” in which the main suspect, Collins Jumaisi, was arrested but later mysteriously escaped from police custody.
Nearly two months later, his whereabouts remain unknown, further fueling accusations of law enforcement’s alleged indifference.
FIDA board secretary Angela Mwadumbo contended, “This laxity by the National Police Service in securing suspects amounts to aiding and abetting.”
In addition to declaring femicide a national disaster, the human rights bodies are pressing President William Ruto to establish a gender cabinet secretary position, strengthen protections for women, and issue regular investigative updates.
“The President should formally recognize femicide as a national crisis, providing assurances that this administration is committed to protecting women and girls,” stated Mwadumbo.
If the government fails to address these demands within 30 days, the organizations have vowed to mobilize protests.
With a reported 30 women and girls murdered this year alone, FIDA and its allies argue the rising cases signal a crisis that requires urgent government intervention.
The organisations allege that authorities have inadequately addressed femicides, leaving families devastated and justice elusive.
“In 2024 alone, FIDA-Kenya has tracked 30 cases of women killed, many by intimate partners, as a result of domestic violence and femicide,” said LSK Deputy President Mwaura Kabata.
The call to action includes a specific demand for law enforcement to improve response times and investigations.
FIDA’s agenda also includes legislative reform. The organization plans to lobby for femicide to be recognized as a distinct crime within Kenya’s penal code, pushing to define it separately from general homicide to address the unique patterns and contexts of violence against women.
In a poignant example that underscores the coalition’s concerns, Citizen TV recently covered the funeral of Seth Nyakio, daughter of a Nominated Member of Kirinyaga County Assembly, whose murder at a rental home in Thika epitomizes the brutality of recent femicides.
Her mother, Lucy Njeri, expressed frustration over the slow-moving investigation.
“The police tell us no stone will be left unturned, but where is the action?” she questioned.
The coalition highlighted cases like the “Kware bodies case,” in which the main suspect, Collins Jumaisi, was arrested but later mysteriously escaped from police custody.
Nearly two months later, his whereabouts remain unknown, further fueling accusations of law enforcement’s alleged indifference.
FIDA board secretary Angela Mwadumbo contended, “This laxity by the National Police Service in securing suspects amounts to aiding and abetting.”
In addition to declaring femicide a national disaster, the human rights bodies are pressing President William Ruto to establish a gender cabinet secretary position, strengthen protections for women, and issue regular investigative updates.
“The President should formally recognize femicide as a national crisis, providing assurances that this administration is committed to protecting women and girls,” stated Mwadumbo.
If the government fails to address these demands within 30 days, the organizations have vowed to mobilize protests.
