FIDA calls for urgent action to end femicide

Lobbies have also called for immediate appointment of gender Cabinet Secretary.

by SAMANTHA NYAWANGA

News29 October 2024 - 13:30

In Summary

Fida and other lobbyists urged law enforcement agencies to act and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The federation's Deputy Executive Director Janet Onyango expressed concern over the increasing rates of femicide in the country.

Fida Deputy Executive Director Janet Onyango speaks during a press conference in Nairobi on October 29, 2024

The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) has called for urged action to end the worrying trend of femicide in the country.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday, Fida and other lobbyists urged law enforcement agencies to act and hold the perpetrators accountable.

The federation's Deputy Executive Director Janet Onyango expressed concern over the increasing rates of femicide in the country.

“This violence against women is characterised as horrific, highlighting the urgency of addressing systemic issues that threaten the safety and well-being of women and girls across the country,” Onyango said.

Onyango said that these acts of violence are in direct violation of the constitutional guarantees provided by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, which affirms the right to life and the freedom and security of individuals.

She argued that the current spate of femicide cases is not just a series of isolated incidents but a systemic crisis that calls for immediate and comprehensive responses from the government.

The lobbies referred to specific cases that have shocked the nation, notably the gruesome murders of Starlet Wahu and victims in Kware, Embakasi.

Onyango said these cases gained significant media attention, particularly due to the involvement of Collins Jumaisi, the main suspect, who escaped from police custody and remains at large.

LSK deputy president Mwaura Kabata said the incident has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the police, who are yet to provide a comprehensive account of how Jumaisi managed to escape and what measures are being taken to recapture him.

“The perceived lack of urgency and accountability from law enforcement is seen as a failure to protect citizens, especially women, from violent crimes,” Kabata said.

Kabata said police’s laxity and failure to take serious action against perpetrators contributes to a culture of impunity, undermining trust in the justice system.

“The deaths of these women are not merely statistics but represent innocent lives tragically cut short, leaving families in turmoil,” Kabata said.

“In 2024 FIDA-Kenya has reported at least 30 cases of women who have died due to intimate partner violence and femicide, reflecting a disturbing trend in domestic violence” they said.

Fida chairperson Christine Kungu pointed out that many of these cases remain underreported, illustrating a pervasive issue that has not received the attention it deserves.

“This underreporting, coupled with the slow pace of investigations, is viewed as a denial of justice for victims and their families, further entrenching a cycle of violence against women,” Kungu said.

The officials in their joint statement acknowledged that femicide and domestic violence are manifestations of deep-seated problems related to gender inequality and societal attitudes towards women.

“Every individual deserves to live in an environment free from violence and fear, and they should have the right to pursue their lives without threats,” they said.

They are now calling on President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis and to assure the public that his administration is actively working to protect women across Kenya.

They have further called on the President to direct the National Police Service to provide a detailed status report on ongoing investigations within 14 days.

The lobbies want the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to give an update on the status of investigations into femicide cases, including the circumstances surrounding Jumaisi’s escape.

“We emphasise the need for expedited prosecution of these cases to bring justice to the victims and their families,” the statement read in part.

They further called for the immediate appointment of a Gender Cabinet Secretary to coordinate a multisector approach to femicide prevention.

Finally, the group called for concrete actions against Gender-Based Violence in the country.

They said that with the 16 days of activism against GBV approaching, the government should implement actionable strategies to swiftly address the issues raised.