Nairobi, Kenya, December 19- Kenya has reported 100 murders over a span of four months, according to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Speaking during a security briefing on Thursday, he revealed that the killings occurred between August and November 2024, with investigations into 97 of the cases already completed, while others are pending in court.
Gruesome Murders Shock the Nation
Several chilling murders have sparked public outrage. Dahabo Daud Said, 38, Amina Abdirashid Dahir, 22, and Nusayba Abdi Mohammed, 13, were brutally stabbed to death after disappearing from their home in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate. Their bodies were discovered in different locations, including Bahati in Makadara, Parklands, and Machakos. Dahabo’s hands had been severed in a particularly gruesome act.
In another harrowing incident, the body of 23-year-old Seth Nyakio Njeri was found in her friend’s house in Thika on October 14.
Government Action Against Femicide
In response to the surge in femicide, the Cabinet has approved the formation of a presidential working group to address the crisis comprehensively. This task force will collaborate with religious leaders, parents, schools, security agencies, and other stakeholders to identify gaps in legal frameworks, enforcement, and societal values that enable such violence.
President William Ruto has urged security agencies to tackle the alarming rise in femicide, expressing deep concern over the loss of women’s lives in brutal killings.
Civil Society Condemnation
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has strongly condemned the escalating cases of femicide. Mark Owuor, Head of Communications at FIDA-Kenya, called the trend “heartbreaking and alarming,” describing it as a gross violation of women’s constitutional rights to life, safety, and security. He emphasized that these cases expose systemic failures in safeguarding women across the country.
Broader Gender-Based Violence Issues
Mudavadi also highlighted that Kenya recorded 7,107 cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) between September 2023 and December 2024. He referred to femicide as the “elephant in the room” for the security sector, underscoring the urgent need to address the violation of women’s rights.
The rise in femicide has prompted leaders, civil society groups, and citizens to demand swift and decisive action to protect women and end the violence. Among the latest horrifying cases was the murder of three family members whose bodies were dumped in separate locations, further underscoring the gravity of the crisis.
