The Grime Surge Of Femicides In Kenya That Demands Urgent Action
NAKURU, KENYA - 2024/01/27: Protesters hold placards expressing their opinion during the demonstration. Protesters marched countrywide during the ‘Feminists March Against Femicide,' which was sparked by the recent brutal murders of Starlet Wahu, 26, and Rita Waeni, 20, in Kenya. Findings from 2022 national survey shows that over one in three women in Kenya experience physical violence in their lifetime. (Photo by James Wakibia/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
By: Dorothy Atieno
Worth Noting:
- The increasing cases of femicide are not simply the result of random, isolated incidents—they reflect a broader societal issue that has long been overlooked.
- The causes of femicide in Kenya are multifaceted and deeply rooted in cultural, social, and structural inequalities that disadvantage women and girls. Kenya is a society steeped in patriarchy, where gender inequality continues to affect women’s rights, opportunities, and safety. Deep-seated attitudes that view women as inferior to men have long informed how women are treated in both the public and private spheres. From an early age, girls are often taught to submit to male authority, with their roles in society largely confined to domestic duties and caregiving. These gender norms—coupled with economic dependence and lack of education—make it difficult for women to escape abusive relationships.
In the first half of 2024, Kenya has witnessed an alarming rise in femicide cases—a tragic continuation of a deep-seated issue that has long plagued the nation. More than 400 women have already been murdered in this year alone, many by intimate partners or close family members. These murders, rooted in gender-based violence, expose the stark reality that in Kenya, the sanctity of a woman’s life is far from guaranteed, even within the safety of her own home. The escalation of femicides in the country is not just a matter of individual tragedy; it is a crisis of systemic and societal failures that demands immediate, coordinated intervention at all levels of government, law enforcement, and community. The question is: will Kenya rise to the challenge?
The rise in femicide in Kenya in 2024 cannot be dismissed as an isolated trend. According to a report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), an average of over 50 women have been murdered each month this year, and a significant proportion of these deaths are a direct result of domestic violence. For many of these women, the perpetrators are not strangers but people they knew and trusted: husbands, boyfriends, fathers, or brothers. This chilling fact speaks volumes about the nature of violence against women in Kenya—how pervasive and deeply rooted it is in the fabric of society.
What makes the statistics even more appalling is that these murders often follow a pattern of prolonged abuse. A study by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) highlights that intimate partner violence is the leading cause of femicides in the country. In many cases, the victims had previously reported their abusers, only to see their complaints dismissed or ignored by the authorities. This failure to act on complaints, coupled with a lack of adequate protection, creates an environment where perpetrators feel emboldened and confident that their violence will go unpunished.
The increasing cases of femicide are not simply the result of random, isolated incidents—they reflect a broader societal issue that has long been overlooked.
The causes of femicide in Kenya are multifaceted and deeply rooted in cultural, social, and structural inequalities that disadvantage women and girls. Kenya is a society steeped in patriarchy, where gender inequality continues to affect women’s rights, opportunities, and safety. Deep-seated attitudes that view women as inferior to men have long informed how women are treated in both the public and private spheres. From an early age, girls are often taught to submit to male authority, with their roles in society largely confined to domestic duties and caregiving. These gender norms—coupled with economic dependence and lack of education—make it difficult for women to escape abusive relationships.
Many of the men who commit femicides in Kenya operate from a mindset that women are possessions to be controlled or discarded at will. Toxic masculinity is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of femicide, as many men see their sense of self-worth as tied to controlling their female partners. In some cases, men resort to violence as a way to “discipline” or “punish” women who attempt to assert their independence, whether by seeking a divorce, rejecting a relationship, or challenging their abuser’s authority. This entitlement to control and dominate women is often condoned by societal norms, which downplay the severity of male violence against women.
Another key factor in the rise of femicides in Kenya is the ineffective justice system and culture of impunity that often shields perpetrators from accountability. While Kenya has made legal strides, such as the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act (2006) and the Domestic Violence Act (2015), these laws have largely remained underutilized due to enforcement failures. Domestic violence and femicide cases are frequently dismissed or poorly handled by law enforcement officials, with victims being turned away, or worse, blamed for their own suffering. The lack of training among police officers, coupled with the low conviction rates for gender-based violence, fosters an environment where perpetrators are not held accountable for their actions, leading to continued violence.
Economic dependency is another significant driver of femicide in Kenya. Women who are financially dependent on abusive partners or family members are often trapped in violent relationships, unable to leave because they lack the financial means to survive independently. Economic disempowerment is closely tied to women’s limited access to education and employment opportunities, which makes it difficult for them to build the necessary skills and resources to escape abusive situations. As a result, many women remain vulnerable to their abusers, which increases the likelihood of deadly violence when they attempt to break free.
Despite the growing crisis of femicides, the response from the Kenyan government has been woefully inadequate. While the country has laws in place to protect women and punish perpetrators of violence, the implementation and enforcement of these laws remain inconsistent and lack urgency. Law enforcement agencies continue to fail in providing protection to women who report violence, and many cases of femicide go unpunished, allowing the cycle of abuse and impunity to continue.
The government has made some attempts to address gender-based violence by establishing the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and creating hotlines for reporting domestic violence. However, these measures have proven insufficient in curbing the tide of femicides. Additionally, the lack of a coordinated, nationwide strategy to tackle gender-based violence means that responses remain fragmented and lack the necessary resources to make a significant impact.
The issue of femicide in Kenya demands immediate and comprehensive action. Here are several key steps that must be taken to address the crisis:
Strengthening Law Enforcement and Accountability
The Kenyan government must ensure that laws protecting women are properly enforced. Police officers need better training on handling gender-based violence cases, and judicial officers must take a firmer stance against perpetrators of femicide. More resources should be directed toward the establishment of special courts for gender-based violence cases, ensuring that such cases are given the urgency and attention they deserve.
Increasing Public Awareness and Education
A nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the seriousness of femicides and domestic violence is crucial. This campaign should focus not only on educating women about their rights and available services but also on engaging men and boys in conversations about healthy masculinity, consent, and respect for women. Challenging the cultural norms that perpetuate violence against women is essential to creating long-term change.
Improving Economic Empowerment for Women
To reduce women’s economic dependency, there needs to be greater investment in women’s education and skills development. Programs that provide financial independence, vocational training, and access to credit can help women escape abusive relationships by giving them the means to support themselves. Additionally, gender-responsive economic policies should be adopted to address the unique challenges that women face in the workplace.
Providing Comprehensive Support for Survivors
It is critical that survivors of domestic violence and femicide receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. This includes shelters, counseling, legal aid, and economic empowerment programs to help them regain independence. Women who have been victims of violence need access to the resources and support necessary to escape the cycle of abuse and reclaim their safety and dignity.
The rise in femicides in Kenya in 2024 is a glaring indictment of the country’s inability to protect its women and girls from violence. As the numbers continue to climb, the urgency for action cannot be overstated. The government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and communities must work together to tackle the root causes of femicide, address systemic failures, and ensure that justice is served. The lives of Kenyan women cannot continue to be treated as expendable. It is time for the nation to confront this epidemic of violence head-on and take meaningful steps toward a future where all women can live free from fear.
Dorothy Atieno
Rongo University
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