The Kenyan government has declared gender-based violence as the nation’s most urgent security threat, following a tragic surge in deaths. In the past four months, 100 women have been killed, many at the hands of intimate partners.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi described the crisis as “the elephant in the room,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He confirmed that authorities have investigated many of the deaths, with cases currently pending in court.
Since September 2023, more than 7,100 cases of sexual and gender-based violence have been reported across the country. Mudavadi also announced the formation of a specialized police unit dedicated to tackling femicides, which involve the killing of women due to their gender.
As the violence continues to escalate, human rights organizations have rallied for justice, organizing demonstrations in support of the victims and their families. The growing unrest has sparked global attention, with the United Nations reporting that Africa had the highest rate of partner-related femicide in 2023.
In a sobering statement, President William Ruto revealed that four out of five women murdered in Kenya are victims of intimate partner violence. “Our women are being killed in places they should feel safest,” Ruto remarked.
