Femicide cases are on the rise in Kenya, with over 500 women killed by people close to them since 2016. As activists march to demand justice and awareness, the society’s deeply ingrained patriarchy continues to normalise violence against women. Is change possible in a system that often silences victims and delays justice?
Every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by a partner or family member. This global crisis is particularly alarming in Kenya, where over 500 women have been murdered since 2016—most at the hands of someone they knew and trusted.
Joan Rispa Kiragu, writing for Pin Africa, delves into this escalating femicide crisis, exploring the societal norms that perpetuate violence against women, the systemic failures that deny victims justice, and the voices of survivors and advocates determined to fight back.
As the world observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this story serves as a rallying cry for accountability and urgent action.
Kenyan households have tragically become hunting grounds for women, as a growing number fall victim to violence at the hands of intimate partners. According to the Africa Data Hub, over 500 women have been killed since 2016, with 75% of these murders committed by someone known to the victim—be it an intimate partner, relative, or friend. This grim reality raises a harrowing question: where can women find safety if even their homes become their graves?
In response to the alarming rise in femicide, Kenyan women took to the streets on 27th January, demanding justice and calling on the government to declare femicide a national disaster. On 14th February, a public vigil titled “Dark Valentine” was held, where candles were lit, and the names of departed women were read aloud in remembrance. Tragically, as the year nears its end, yet another march is planned for 10th December to continue amplifying the voices of the victims and those advocating for change.
Violence against women is far from a new phenomenon. According to UN Women, as of 2023, more than 133 women are killed daily by someone within their family. Africa records the highest number of femicide cases globally, with approximately 20,000 murders, followed by Asia and the Americas. These chilling statistics highlight a troubling societal norm: violence against women has been so normalised that even murder fails to shock us anymore.
For example, Rita Waeni, a 20-year-old university student, was found brutally murdered and dismembered in an Airbnb apartment on 14th January. Yet instead of collective outrage, online discourse quickly turned against her. Strangers who knew nothing about Rita suggested that young women must “act accordingly” during dates, implying that men who spend money are entitled to sex. The same victim-blaming rhetoric surfaced after the murder of Starlet Wahu, 26, who was similarly killed in an Airbnb on 3rd January. Even Agnes Tirop, a world-champion marathon runner and her family’s breadwinner, was not spared this fate, meeting her end at the hands of her husband on 21st October 2021.
What about the countless other women who do not receive media attention but are still part of the grim daily statistics of femicide? How can their murders be justified?
In Kenya’s deeply patriarchal society, intimate partner violence has been normalised. A common phrase often used to silence abuse victims is “ndoa ni kuvumiliana,” which translates to “marriage is tolerance.” Relationships are prioritised over personal safety and well-being, while separation or divorce remains heavily stigmatised. Many women have paid with their lives, feeling that leaving a dangerous relationship was not an option.
This toxic culture has also conditioned young girls to endure abusive behaviour, hoping they can “fix” their partners, perpetuating a tragic cycle.
One survivor who refuses to stay silent is Njeri wa Migwi, a former GBV victim turned advocate. Njeri now uses her voice and resources to shelter abused women and girls across Kenya. She acknowledges that the recent protests have been instrumental in raising awareness of femicide, a crime too often ignored or mislabelled as homicide. President William Ruto has since pledged his government’s support, including allocating Ksh 100 million (approx. $780,000) for a campaign titled Safe Home, Safe Space, running alongside the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
While these measures are steps in the right direction, the slow pace of legal proceedings continues to embolden perpetrators. For example, despite confessing to the murder of Agnes Tirop and multiple witnesses confirming his threats against her, Agnes’s husband has yet to be convicted. Similarly, it took five years of public outcry before Joseph “Jowie” Irungu was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Monica Kimani, another high-profile femicide case.
It may take just as long—or longer—to achieve justice for Rita, Starlet, Agnes, and the many other women whose lives were cruelly stolen. Meanwhile, countless names will fade into obscurity, and many murderers will walk free. Our collective outrage, expressed through hashtags and protests, risks losing momentum.
But for advocates like Njeri, giving up is not an option. For her, these victims are not mere statistics or headlines; they were real people with real lives, leaving behind grieving families and communities.
We must not wait for another tragic death to fuel our rage. Instead, we must sustain the conversation, continue spreading awareness, and work towards change even when the hashtags stop trending. Only then can we honour the lives of these women and ensure that no more names are added to this devastating list.
