NAIROBI, Kenya – Hundreds of people marched in Nairobi on Saturday to protest the recent spate of femicide in the country, which has seen over a dozen women brutally murdered in just this month, shocking the nation.
Campaigners took to the streets of the capital, brandishing placards with powerful messages such as “Being a woman should not be a death sentence” and “Patriarchy kills”, while also displaying names and photographs of the victims. They chanted “Stop killing us” as they made their way towards parliament, causing a traffic standstill in Nairobi’s central business district.
The alarming number of femicides in Kenya this year – at least 16, as reported by media outlets – has brought renewed attention to the issue of violence against women, which the government has acknowledged as a growing concern.
One case, in particular, has garnered widespread attention – that of a 26-year-old woman who was tragically killed on January 4th in a short-term rental apartment by a member of an extortionist gang known to target women through dating sites. Furthermore, barely two weeks later, a 20-year-old woman was strangled, dismembered, and her remains stuffed into a plastic bag. Although two suspects are in police custody in connection with the case, they have yet to be charged.
Ahead of the march, the Kenya chapter of Amnesty International emphasized the urgency of addressing femicide, calling it the most brutal form of gender-based violence that should never be normalized. The organization has urged authorities to expedite investigations and prosecute the perpetrators. At the protest, participants voiced their outrage and determination to see change. 32-year-old Terry Wangare, a communications officer, expressed, “Nobody cares. If you complain, you are bad,” reflecting the frustration and despair felt by many.
The situation underscores the pervasive issue of violence against women in Kenya, with government reports revealing that more than 30% of women in the country experience physical violence, and 13% endure some form of sexual violence. Last year alone, there were at least 152 reported cases of femicide, according to the nonprofit organization Femicide Count. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that in 2022, 725 women and girls were murdered in Kenya, shedding light on the alarming frequency of these tragic incidents.
The march in Nairobi stands as a powerful demonstration of the urgent need for action to address the systemic issue of femicide, as women and supporters unite to demand justice and change.