The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) and the International Commission of Jurists, Kenya Section (ICJ Kenya) have condemned the rising cases of femicide in Nakuru.
The two organisations said there is an increase in the cases of femicide in Nakuru where women and young girls are subjected to unspeakable violence, often preceded by defilement or rape.
In a statement on Friday, they said the murders in 2024 and 2022 are characterized by rape, strangulation, mutilation and burnt bodies.
"We can only conclude that the perpetrators of these crimes have a deep hatred for women," they said.
The women's rights organisations cited the recent cases of femicide saying justice has not been found yet.
"We are deeply saddened and outraged by the heinous murder of Florence Mueni, a 34-year-old woman. Her body was discovered in a maize plantation near her home in Kalyet Estate, Rongai, Nakuru, on August 6, 2024," the statement read.
They said that Mueni's case is not an isolated incident in Nakuru adding that all the murders happened within a month.
Additionally, in 2022, six women were killed within six months in similar circumstances in Nakuru, they said.
According to the statement, media reports confirm five-year-old Alice Ayuma and 30-year-old Vera Mugambi were also killed in similar circumstances, and their bodies were found in maize plantations.
"The deaths of Mueni, Mugambi, baby Ayuma, and others are a tragedy in Kenyan society that should never be ignored. These deaths are a severe violation of their inherent right to life, which the Constitution of Kenya protects," the statement read.
"As FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya, we offer our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones as they grapple with these unfortunate incidents that have left women in Nakuru County fearing for their lives."
FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to bring the perpetrators to justice.
They also called on the government to take immediate action and address the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence and femicide in different parts of the country.
FIDA-Kenya and ICJ Kenya want the government and National Police Service to use all available forensic and investigative resources to apprehend the perpetrators of the crimes and bring them to justice.
They also want police presence and patrols in Nakuru and all high-risk areas where cases of SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence) and femicide have been reported enhanced.
"Enhance community policing to promote collaboration between law enforcement and local communities in protecting vulnerable individuals, and form a special task force to investigate and recommend actions for addressing the rising cases of SGBV and femicide in the country and supporting SGBV survivors through legal and psychosocial help," they said.