Another woman has been killed through male violence. This is unacceptable!

The untimely demise of the Olympian Agnes Tirop, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Emmanuel Rotich on Wednesday, 13th October 2021 is unacceptable. Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends.

As an organization that is committed to upholding the rights of women and girls, we note with concern that the gruesome murder of Agnes Tirop is not an isolated one; countless number of women and girls have become subjects of gender motivated killings, sexual violence including rape, harmful cultural practices like FGM and sexual harassment in the households, communities, work places and by extension, public spaces.

From the lived realities of countless number of women and girls who have survived and fallen victims to acts of violence, we know that we must be relentless in addressing the national  pandemic that is sexual and gender based violence. For the safety and security of all women and girls to be achieved, the government must honor its obligation as outlined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

We welcome the actions by the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in apprehending Tirop’s alleged killer, however we demand speedy investigations, prosecution and determination of the matter. We remain vigilant until the perpetrator is held accountable for the heinous act and justice is done for Tirop.