Introduction

I don’t know where to start in addressing this massive plague that has hit our country right now. National News Television broadcast new cases of murdered women on a weekly basis. This matter is no longer a topic we can choose to banter about and push at the back of our heads and scroll ahead as we use different social media platforms on a daily. At this age and time, almost everyone has access to social media and the internet. Those who don’t, have alternatives such as radios and televisions in their houses. In summary, a huge percentage of people have heard of what’s happening in our country. This tragedy has reached the global scale, with femicide being the topic in most international news broadcast channels.

The purpose of today’s post is to raise awareness of the atrocities happening in our beloved country. Feed your brain with the statistics on femicide in Kenya and the recent femicide cases:

• The National Crime Reporting System  reveals that over 40% of Kenyan women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence at least once in their lifetimes.
• Data from Africa Data Hub shows that femicide is not just a 2024 problem. In fact, there have been more than 500 cases reported since 2016.
• One in four women  has experienced physical violence within the last year.
• Out of the reported cases, only 15% were perpetrated by strangers to the victims, leaving the majority of cases to be friends, relatives or an intimate partner.

Recent Femicide Cases:

• January 4, 2024:  Starlet Wahu , a socialite, was stabbed by a man alleged to be part of a criminal ring targeting women on dating sites.
• January 10, 2024:  A young woman, Rita Waeni,  was drugged and dismembered by a man she met in a rented apartment. Her body parts were disposed of in plastic bags.

In light of the events, there will be a campaign come Saturday, 26 th of January 2024 at Jeevanjee Gardens at 10AMwhere EVERYONE is encouraged to join hands and march in order to raise our voices, together as ONE. Men, women, children…and anyone who would love to show support by availing themselves on Saturday are welcome to do so. If by any chance you will not be able to make it to the march, then feel free to post on your socials regarding the awareness march and show support virtually.

Being a woman should not be a death sentence!