EDITORIAL: Femicide courts an idea worth pursuing

Kenya has for long faced two crises: unchecked police brutality and a disturbing rise in femicide. Both issues demand swift, decisive action.

The Law Society of Kenya has proposed a solution: specialised courts to handle cases of police misconduct and femicide.

It’s an idea worth serious consideration. We’ve seen it before. Corruption cases dragged on for years until anti-corruption courts were set up.

Small claims courts now ensure swift justice for everyday disputes. Why not apply the same model to two of the most pressing injustices of our time? Take police violence.

Since 2019, more than 1,350 extrajudicial killings and 350 enforced disappearances have been documented. Yet, only 28 cases have made it to court.

That’s a failure of justice. Meanwhile, officers accused of misconduct linger in legal limbo, their careers and lives in uncertainty.

A specialised court would ensure swift, fair rulings—for victims and accused officers alike. Then there’s femicide.

Women are being butchered in horrifying acts of violence. Yet, our laws treat these cases as routine homicides, ignoring the gendered pattern behind them.

A femicide court could focus on the unique nature of these crimes, ensuring better investigations and appropriate legal responses.

If we are serious about accountability, let’s stop treating these issues as just another case file.

*********************

Quote of the day: “Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.” — American feminist and publisher Gloria Steinem was born on March 25, 1934.