The Legio Maria Church has advised women not to trust strangers straightforwardly in the wake of increased cases of femicide across the country.
In a statement, the church urged women to exercise caution whenever they enter into any kind of relationship.
“Looks, promises and fancy words are deceiving. They should not make you fall into the trap of the enemy,” Bishop Wycliffe Nyapera said.
Extending sorrow and sadness to the families of the latest femicide killings, Nyapera said the tragedies underscore the importance of addressing Gender Based Violence.
“Every person has a right to live free from fear and violence, and no woman should lose her life due to senseless acts committed in the name of love, money, gifts or any other motive,” he said.
Nyapera called on the country’s leadership to unite and speak out against femicide and advocate for justice and protection of the lives of women.
“Each life is valuable, and it is our collective responsibility to create a society where every person, regardless of gender, can thrive without the constant threat of harm. Let us raise our voices, stand together, and actively work towards eradicating gender-based violence,” he said.
On Wednesday, Female Parliamentarians asked President William Ruto to declare femicide and other forms of Gender Based Violence a national disaster.
Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) further called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Inspector General of Police to speed up investigations into all ongoing femicide cases and bring perpetrators to book.
KEWOPA chairperson Leah Sankaire condemned the increasing incidences of violence against women in the country.
Of concern is the continued victimisation of women on media platforms blaming them for their deaths, with Sankaire saying the trend sheds light on the advancement of technologically facilitated GBV through social media.
“We cannot normalise femicides. We as Kenyans must take deliberate action to end violence against women. We wish to call upon the President to declare femicide and other forms of GBV a national disaster and commit to addressing it,” Sankaire said.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has also waded into the increased cases of femicide.
Raila expressed that the murders should not be allowed to become the new norm.
"It is sad to see a troubling increase in the deaths of young women, leaving a trail of grief for families and friends," he said.
Raila highlighted that the ugly scourge of the murder of women is now a national emergency.