JOINT STATEMENT: Joint statement on the brutal murder of Florence Mueni and the rising femicide cases in Nakuru County

Nairobi, 16th August 2024 – We, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) and the International Commission of Jurists, Kenya Section (ICJ Kenya) are deeply saddened and outraged by the heinous murder of Florence Mueni, a 34-year-old woman. Her body was discovered in a maize plantation near her home in Kalyet Estate, Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru County, on 6th August 2024. This horrific act is a stark reminder of the increasing cases of femicide in Nakuru County, where women and young girls are being subjected to unspeakable violence, often preceded by defilement or rape.

Unfortunately, Ms. Mueni’s case is not an isolated incident in Nakuru County. Media reports confirm that 5-year-old Alice Ayuma and 30-year-old Vera Mugambi were also killed in similar circumstances, and their bodies were found in maize plantations. All these murders happened within a month. Additionally, in 2022, six women were killed within six months in similar circumstances in Nakuru.

The deaths of Ms. Mueni, Ms. Mugambi, baby Ayuma, and others are a tragedy in Kenyan society that should never be ignored. These deaths are a severe violation of their inherent right to life, which the Constitution of Kenya protects. As FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya, we offer our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones as they grapple with these unfortunate incidents that have left women in Nakuru County fearing for their lives.

We note that all these murders in 2024 and 2022 are characterized by rape, strangulation, mutilation and burnt bodies, and we can only conclude that the perpetrators of these crimes have a deep hatred for women.

FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya call upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to bring the perpetrators of these barbaric acts to justice. We also call on the government to take immediate action and address the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence and femicide in different parts of the country.

In response to these unfortunate incidents, we urge relevant government agencies, including the National Police Service (NPS) to:

1. 1. Use all available forensic and investigative resources to apprehend the perpetrators of these terrible crimes and bring them to justice.
2. 2. Increase police presence and patrols in Nakuru County and all high-risk areas where cases of SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence) and femicide have been reported.
3. 3. Enhance community policing to promote collaboration between law enforcement and local communities in protecting vulnerable individuals.
4. 4. Form a special task force to investigate and recommend actions for addressing the rising cases of SGBV and femicide in the country and supporting SGBV survivours through legal and psychosocial help.

Finally, FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya are committed to advocating for the rights of women and girls, ensuring that they can live in a society free from violence. We stand in solidarity with all women who live in fear of violence simply because they are women. We believe that this culture of violence against women can end if our society works together for the prosperity of all.

Ends.
FIDA-Kenya
ICJ Kenya

For further information and media enquiries, please Mark Owuor Otieno on: Email: owuorm@fidakenya.org OR Call: Tel: 254 202 2604043/4 Mobile: 254-722509760/ 254710607241