PRESS STATEMENT: Joint Statement on the Crisis of Femicide in Kenya and An Urgent Call for Action.

Nairobi, 29 October 2024 – We stand in collective sorrow and outrage at the increasing cases of femicide across Kenya. The horrific and consistent violence against women and girls demands immediate, uncompromised action from all sectors, led by the Government of Kenya. As a country, we must recognise that femicide is a growing crisis and demand that the government address systemic failures that threaten the safety of women and girls. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees the right to life and the freedom and security of the person. The current spate of unprecedented cases of femicide in Kenya is, therefore, in direct violation of these constitutional guarantees for women and girls.

At the beginning of this year, 2024, FIDA-Kenya issued a statement after the gruesome murders of Starlet Wahu and Rita Waeni. Since then, media reports have highlighted the murders of at least six women whose bodies were dumped in Kware, Embakasi, shocking the entire country as well as the world. The main suspect in these horrific murders, Collins Jumaisi, escaped from Gigiri Police Station and to date, his whereabouts are unknown. Further, the National Police Service is yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the circumstances that led to his escape and steps towards his re-arrest and prosecution, given the gravity of the charges he is facing. We maintain that the laxity and lack of commitment by the National Police Service to take serious action against perpetrators, including in this instance, amounts to aiding and abetting the crimes and is a demonstration of the state’s failure to protect women and girls as outlined in international treaties that Kenya is a signatory to.

The media has also reported the unfortunate murders of Florence Mueni, Alice Ayuma, Vera Mugambi, Seth Nyakio Njeri, Rebecca Cheptegei, Christine Nyakio, and Amina Abdi Rashid Dahir together with her daughter and niece. Yesterday, the country woke up to the utter shock of media reports that the body of Yvonne Jirangwa, a 23-year-old trainee Catholic nun, was found in a sewer pit within a Rongo parish convent. These are just a few of the incidents publicly reported, and we recognise that countless women and girls’ murders have not received media coverage this year alone. The murder of one woman or girl is one too many. It is unacceptable, and we refuse to normalise these occurrences in our country. 

In 2024, so far, FIDA-Kenya is aware of at least 30 cases of women who have died in the hands of intimate partners as a result of domestic violence and femicide. These cases have been reported to the National Police Service, but unfortunately, the pace of the investigation is excruciatingly slow, resulting in the denial of justice. We maintain that these are not just statistics but innocent women whose lives were cut short by horrifying acts of violence, changing the lives of their families forever.

The violent manner in which their lives have been lost speaks to the levels of violence against women and girls in Kenya. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. The brutality of their murders speaks to a dangerous and unresolved national crisis. We reaffirm that we are committed to standing with these families, some of whom receive psychosocial support and legal representation in the ongoing pursuit of justice from FIDA-Kenya and our partners.

Domestic violence and the increasing femicide are acts that should be unequivocally condemned. These acts undermine the foundations of life, and they should not be tolerated in our societies. It highlights the deep-seated issues of violence and inequality that we are working to change. Every individual deserves the right to live in an environment free from violence, fear, abuse and harm. Most importantly, they deserve the right to chase their dreams without having these seem a threat to the people around them.

Our Demands – Enough is enough.

We can no longer afford to treat femicide as an isolated series of incidents; it is a national emergency that requires urgent, coordinated responses from the highest offices in the land. To this end, we make the following demands:

1. National Address by H.E. the President, Dr. William Ruto, PhD

H.E. President Ruto must address the nation and speak to women and girls, providing a clear and unwavering commitment to their right to life, safety and security. The President should officially declare femicide a national crisis and a disaster, assuring the public that this administration is actively working to protect women and girls across the nation. We demand that he directs the National Police Service to issue a comprehensive communique on the status of the investigations within the next 14 days.

2. Comprehensive Status Update from Law Enforcement

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) must provide a detailed public update on the status of investigations and prosecutions of all suspects tied to these femicide cases. This should include a full explanation regarding the whereabouts of Collins Jumaisi, the main suspect in the Kware dumpsite murders, who remains at large after escaping police custody. We further expect expedited prosecution of the cases in the courts of law devoid of any delay tactics. This is a crucial and necessary step in bringing healing to the families who are extremely traumatised by the loss of their loved ones.

3. Appointment of a Gender Cabinet Secretary

We call upon the H.E. the President to urgently fill in the vacant position of the Gender Cabinet Secretary, who will be crucial in the coordination of a multisectoral approach to femicide prevention across Kenya. This Cabinet Secretary must spearhead awareness and sensitisation initiatives on evolving issues, such as electronically facilitated gender-based violence (EFGBV), and champion collaborative efforts across government and civil society to address gender-based violence (GBV). We further note that this is the only cabinet position yet to be filled following the President’s recent appointment of Cabinet secretaries.

4. Concrete Actions to Address Gender-Based Violence

With the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence approaching, we demand that the government takes decisive action toward mitigating GBV, both within families and communities. This will align with this year’s theme: “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”. There must be actionable, measurable steps that protect women and girls and provide meaningful deterrents to perpetrators.

5. Support for Legislative Reforms on Femicide

FIDA-Kenya is committed to advancing legislative reforms to introduce femicide as a standalone crime within the Penal Code. We urge Parliament and the Judiciary to support this amendment to ensure that crimes specifically targeting women based on gender are met with appropriate legal consequences and action.

As FIDA-Kenya, we maintain that should there be no action within the next 30 days, we will consider other options, including mobilising a nationwide picketing of women to demand our right to safety and justice. We cannot allow femicide to become a normalised part of our society. The government, in partnership with civil society, must take immediate action to protect women and girls and to guarantee that no woman in Kenya will live in fear simply because she is female. Our mothers, daughters, and sisters deserve safety, dignity, and peace. We are resolute in our commitment to fight for a society where every woman and girl can live free from
the threat of violence.

END

Issued by FIDA-Kenya, Law Society of Kenya, Siasa Place, Centre for Community Development and Human Rights, Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO), Child Space Nairobi, Kibera Justice Centre, Inspire Teenagers, Superb Nairobi.

Present:

Christine Kungu (FIDA-Kenya Chairperson), Mwaura Kabata (Law Society of Kenya) Nerima Wako (CEO, Siasa Place), Madina Mohamed (CCDHR), Zuleah Yusuf (Kibera Social Justice Centre), Jesse Saruni (President, KUSO), Weslay Masongo (Riara University), David Babu (Male Champion, Kiambu), Chrispine Okello (Child Space Nairobi), Yasim Mohamed (Superb CBO Nairobi), Soila Arasha  (Inspire Teenagers), Mercy Mutanu (Youth Agenda).

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