In 2024, Kenya reached a heartbreaking milestone. More women were killed last year than ever before. It’s not just the numbers that haunt us, it’s the cruelty behind them. Women are being murdered in their homes, on the streets, by the people they trust most. Husbands. Boyfriends. Relatives. Friends. It’s not random. It’s not faceless. It’s personal.  

A report from African Uncensored and Odipo Dev paints a grisly picture. The methods are brutal and inhumane. Household items, the same tools used to prepare meals or build a home, are now weapons of destruction. And the violence is spreading like a whirlwind. Nairobi leads in femicide cases, but smaller towns like Kisii, Kitui, Meru, and Nyeri are catching up. There’s no safe corner left.  

The danger is more acute for younger women. More than half of those murdered last year were 30 or younger. These were women just starting their lives, chasing careers, raising children, and, dreaming of better days. Now, their futures have been stolen, and their families are left to pick up the pieces.  

Despite Kenya’s Constitution and laws promising protection, femicide remains undefined in our legal system. These murders are prosecuted as regular homicides, erasing the gendered nature of the crime. How can justice be served when the very essence of the violence is overlooked?

On the brighter side, there have been steps forward. Convictions have risen by 118% compared to the previous years. Average sentences have increased to 23 years. But what does that mean for the woman who might be killed tonight? whose killer might walk scot-free because the system is too slow or too flawed to hold him accountable. 

President William Ruto’s allocation of Ksh. 100 million to fund a 16-day anti-femicide campaign in November 2024 was a step in the right direction. But campaigns alone cannot bring back the women we’ve lost or protect those still at risk.

What’s the Way Forward?

We can’t afford to keep losing women like this. Ending this crisis requires collective action from stakeholders across the board. The change we need isn’t complicated, it’s urgent and overdue. 

•  Name It for What It Is: Femicide must be recognized in Kenyan law. These crimes are not like other murders; they’re driven by gendered violence and need to be treated as such.  
• Faster Justice: Four years is too long for a family to wait for a verdict. Our justice system must prioritize femicide cases, dedicating resources to ensure timely and thorough investigations.
• Protection of Survivors: Women who escape violence need safe shelters, mental health support, and financial aid to rebuild their lives. These services should be accessible to all, especially in rural and remote areas.  
• Cultural Change: Violence against women isn’t just a crime; it’s a mindset. Communities need education and conversations that challenge harmful norms and foster respect for women’s lives.  
• Commitment to Prevention: This crisis won’t end with punishment alone. Prevention starts at the roots, with investments in programs that empower women, educate boys, and provide economic opportunities to reduce dependency on toxic relationships.  
• Media: The media holds immense power in shaping narratives and driving change. It must move beyond sensationalism and focus on storytelling that humanizes victims and educates the public. Stories should highlight the systemic issues behind femicide and amplify the voices of survivors, advocates, and those working to prevent violence.

This isn’t just a government issue, it’s about all of us. When we hear screams from next door, when we see signs of abuse in our workplaces, when we notice a friend withdrawing, what do we do? Do we look the other way? Or do we act?  

These women were not nameless. They had stories and laughter to share, and their lives mattered. If we forget them, if we let the outrage fade, it’s not just them we’re failing, it’s every woman who will come after them.  

Change doesn’t come from campaigns, high-end conferences, or speeches alone. It comes from the choices we make every day, in our homes, in our communities, and in our hearts.  

They deserved better. Now, it’s up to us to make sure no one else becomes a number in this ongoing tragedy.  

The post THE HUB OF FEMICIDE  appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

The statement, titled “No More Bloodshed: A Collective Action Against Femicide in Kenya,” presents a strong and unified front against this heinous crime. It transcends individual causes and backgrounds, embracing an intersectional feminist perspective that recognizes the inter-connectedness of various forms of oppression faced by women.

Acknowledging the Pervasive Shadow of Femicide

The statement highlights recent tragic cases like the murders of Starlet Wahu Mwangi, Rita Waeni, and Malkia, drawing a stark connection between individual tragedies and a larger societal problem rooted in gender inequality and ingrained patriarchal norms. The collective asserts that addressing these deep-rooted issues requires a concerted effort from individuals, communities, and institutions across Kenya.

A Call for Comprehensive Action

Emphasizing the fundamental right to security and freedom enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, the statement condemns femicide as a profound failure of both the state and society to uphold human rights obligations. It directs a strong appeal to the Kenyan government, urging President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and State Department Head Hon Aisha Jumwa to declare femicide a national emergency and a threat to national security.

The coalition demands immediate and decisive action, proposing a comprehensive government-led anti-femicide campaign that tackles the issue from a multi-pronged approach. This includes:

• Strengthening legal frameworks: The group calls for the creation of a specific legal category for femicide within the Penal Code, ensuring proper investigation, prosecution, and sentencing for perpetrators.
• Enhancing safety nets: Strengthening support systems for women facing violence, including accessible shelters, crisis hotlines, and trauma-informed counselling services.
• Public awareness and education: Launching nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about femicide, promoting gender equality, and challenging harmful gender norms.
• Empowering communities: Engaging men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence, fostering bystander intervention programs, and creating safe spaces for open dialogue.

A Collective Future Beyond Fear

The statement concludes with a powerful call to action, urging all Kenyans to play their part in building a just and equitable society where no woman or girl fears for their life simply because of their gender. It is a clarion call for unity, demanding that the collective power of the Kenyan people rise above the shadow of femicide and reclaim a future free from violence and fear.

The post FEMICIDE IN KENYA: FEMINIST GROUPS UNITE FOR TOTAL SHUTDOWN PROTEST appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

1. Starlet Wahu Mwangi better known as Icey Wife was born in the 2000s as she was 24 years old at the time of her death.
2. She was an Instagram model well-known for selling fashionable clothes and shoes. Her fans also loved her unique fashion sense. 
3. Starlet was a Christian, having been raised in a family with a strong religious background. Both her parents are pastors. She was the daughter of Prophetess Lucy Nduta, a controversial self-proclaimed city prophetess of Salvation Healing Ministry a woman popular for her vibrant lifestyle. 
4. She was the youngest in her family and was closest to her brother Victor Kanyari, a controversial city Pastor.
5. Starlet ran a private Instagram account known as Icey Wahu that had over a hundred thousand followers.
6. On her 21st Birthday, the socialite received a sleek ride from her brother Julius.
7. Wahu’s dating life remained private on social media. She once flaunted a 57-stone diamond bracelet worth Sh829,199  from her boyfriend who flew 16 hours to see her. 
8. Starlet enjoyed living a larger-than-life lifestyle depicted in her TikTok videos. She flaunted a lavish lifestyle showing dollar bills. In a past TikTok video, she flaunts a plane ride crediting her mother for sponsoring the ride.

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