A section of women leaders have condemned the recent cases of violence and cultural oppression targeting young girls and women.
Under the umbrella Kenya Women Senators Association, they expressed concerns with the rising number of brutal incidents that have seen girls lose their lives.
Kewosa chairperson Veronica Maina said it is worrying that the vice is on the rise despite concerted effort to address the matter.
“It is time we said enough is enough. Widows are not to be inherited, silenced or humiliated into submission. Girls are not bargaining chips for family honour. They are human beings—worthy of safety, respect and justice,” Maina said.
The nominated senator also welcomed a move by President William Ruto to tackle gender based violence and femicide through allocation of Sh100 million to campaign against the vice.
“Let justice speak louder than tradition. Let our girls dream in peace and our women live in dignity. Femicide in Kenya is a systemic issue rooted in a society that encourages and perpetuates violence against women as a method of control and discipline,” Maina said.
The former UDA secretary general cited Nairobi, Kiambu and Nakuru as among the leading counties with cases of fatalities. Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kitui, Kisumu, Meru, Machakos and Nyeri followed Incidences of murder are either due to love affairs or cultural practices.
“We are still mourning the shocking and senseless killing of Gaala Aden Abdi, a 17-year-old girl from a refugee family in Dadaab, who was brutally murdered and her body set on fire in Wajir county for refusing to be married off to a 55- year-old man,” she said.
Another recent incident is the killing of a student by her ex-boyfriend, who was trying to reconcile with her. Kewosa singled out Kisii, where widows are being disinherited after the deaths of their spouses.
“These acts are not traditions. They are not culture. They are violence—and they are criminals. Kenya is progressive in terms of legislation but we must ask ourselves: What happens when it comes to implementation? Where are we dropping the ball?”
