FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 17th January 2024
URGENT CALL FOR ACTION AGAINST ESCALATING FEMICIDE INCIDENCES IN KENYA

The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW) is deeply disturbed and appalled by the alarming surge in femicide cases in Kenya, as recently highlighted in the media.

The tragic incidents which include the murder and dismemberment of a 24-year-old woman in Kasarani and the shocking murder of Starlet Wahu at South B, reiterate a distressing pattern of violence against women that continues to plague our society. The recent murders are reminiscent of numerous femicide cases that occurred in Kenya back in 2019 where as many as 84 young women were brutally murdered, reportedly by intimate partners. The re-emergence of femicide in 2024 only serves to underscore the fact that more needs to be done to keep women and girls safe in Kenya.

The gravity of this issue is further highlighted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2021 report, which revealed that 56% of all female homicides globally are committed by intimate partners or family members, in stark contrast to the 11% of male homicides perpetrated in the private sphere. Shockingly, an estimated 45,000 women and girls worldwide lost their lives at the hands of an intimate partner or family member, equating to an average of five women or girls killed every hour within their own families.

Our young women and girls must no longer continue to be part of these shocking statistics. We therefore must all join hands and lend our voices in speaking out and demanding justice for those whose lives have been tragically cut short. In this regard, CREAW calls on the Kenyan government to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of femicide cases. We demand swift and decisive action in bringing the perpetrators to justice, sending a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies follow through on their obligation to address these crimes, ensuring thorough investigations and effective follow-ups.

In addition to this, the Judiciary must ensure it delivers justice impartially, swiftly, and efficiently in these cases. Delayed justice is a denial of justice, and we urge the judiciary to take a zero-tolerance approach towards those who perpetrate violence against women and girls.

Furthermore, we all must ensure that we do not contribute towards the normalization of violence against women and girls and instead work as a nation towards creating an environment where women and girls are safe, protected, and respected. The culture of silence must be shattered, and communities must unite in speaking out and actively preventing and protecting our women and girls.

CREAW stands in solidarity with the slain women and their families, demanding justice, accountability, and an end to the pervasive culture of violence against women and girls. We will continue to work tirelessly towards a society where women and girls can live free from violence and are able to thrive and reach their fullest potential.

Signed
CREAW

About the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness
CREAW envisions a just society where women and girls enjoy full rights and live in dignity. We believe in the equality of rights, with empowerment and justice made available for every woman and girl. We stand for, ensuring women and girls have Power, Voice and Agency. For more information on CREAW, please visit: www.creawkenya.org.

For Further Inquiries
Contact: Njambi Mungai
Email: Njambi.mungai@creawkenya.org