Broken System, Broken Lives: Kenya’s Failed Response to Femicide

This month alone, we have witnessed the brutal deaths of several young women in their prime. Most recently, a mother and her two daughters were found dead after the two girls aged 11 and 22 went out in search of their missing mother. The tragic case of Kirinyaga MCA’s daughter, Seth Nyakio, also lingers in our minds, as does that of Mombasa cab driver Victoria Mumbua Muloki, whose routine day at work turned deadly.

Similarly, three months ago, several mutilated bodies of women were found dumped in an abandoned quarry turned dumpsite in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Njenga informal settlement. According to police reports, Collins Jumaisi, a 33-year-old who was the main suspect in the case, was arrested days after the gruesome discovery and confessed to killing 42 women between 2022 and 2024. However, the story took a turn when Jumaisi escaped from police custody soon after his arrest and disappeared without a trace, leaving the case unresolved.

Such unresolved cases highlight the challenges faced in tackling femicide, which is deeply rooted in the patriarchal nature of Kenyan society that discriminates against women through stereotypes, gender roles, and unequal power relations. This system has complicated efforts to enact and implement legislation addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

A report by the Media Council of Kenya, drawing on meticulous analysis of news reports from reputable Kenyan sources by OdipoDev.com and African Uncensored, found over 500 femicide cases between January 2016 and December 2023. This grim statistic is further underscored by UN Women’s data, revealing that Africa had the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings in 2022, with a staggering figure of over 20,000 deaths. These figures highlight  the normalization of violence against women and the growing disregard for women’s lives.

Sadly, many of these victims have yet to see justice. The perpetrators are never caught, and even when they are, as in the case of Jumaisi, there is no guarantee of justice,

Despite widespread public outcry from civil society, women’s rights organizations, and the country as a whole, the government’s response has been inadequate. While the introduction of gender desks in police stations is a positive step, the officers manning these desks often lack proper training to handle survivors of SGBV effectively. Meanwhile, recent government measures, such as the regulation requiring AirBnB registrations and inspections, are far from sufficient to combat femicide.

As an organization committed to the elimination of any form of violence against women and the protection of women’s rights, the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) is outraged and disheartened by the government’s inaction and laxity when dealing with cases of femicide. This targeted violence against women reflects deeply ingrained gender inequalities, sexism, and systemic discrimination. The normalization of these killings is a threat to societal progress and the right to life, a fundamental guarantee protected by the Constitution of Kenya.

The government must not continue to stand idly by. Femicide is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal crisis that demands immediate and sustained action.We are calling upon the government to act with urgency to:

• Expedite legal processes: Ensure that perpetrators of femicide are swiftly brought to justice, and loopholes in the legal system are closed to prevent escapes and miscarriages of justice.
• Establish a commission on femicide: The government should create a dedicated body to address the root causes of femicide as well as violence against women and develop comprehensive strategies for its elimination.
• Prioritize data-driven solutions: The government should adopt the United Nations’ data framework for measuring gender killing to gather accurate and timely information. This will help measure progress, identify gaps, and inform effective policies.