The government has issued an update following the increased reports of femicide in the country even after President William Ruto formed a task force to address the vice.
In a statement on Thursday, January 23, 2025, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura indicated that security agencies will be working round the clock to bring perpetrators of the crime to book.
“The government takes note of media reports that 15 women have recently lost their lives, thus increasing cases of femicide across the country. The government condoles with the families and relatives of the departed, including Wairimu and Nderema, aged 13 years old,” the statement read in part.
“The government strongly condemns these inhuman acts and our security forces are working round the clock to bring the culprits to book. Let’s support the task force recently constituted by President Ruto by volunteering ideas and strategies to deal with femicide effectively.”
Femicide taskforce
The statement comes just days after Ruto in a gazette notice, constituted a 34-member taskforce headed by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Barasa to look into the rising cases of femicide in the country and offer lasting solutions.
“There are existing gaps in prevention, response, investigations, prosecution, data management, and survivor support systems in GBV and femicide cases. Such egregious violations pose a threat to our national security as well as strain the nation’s social fabric,” the gazette notice read.
Other people appointed to the task force include Nairobi Women’s Hospital founder Dr Sam Thenya, Mohammed Washala, Ruth Aura and Linah Kilimo. The others include Edna Ngare, Nobert Talam, Linda Musumba, Anthony Nzioki, Anne Ngetich, Wangu Kanja, Bashir Isaak, Susan Ndanyi, Gloria Wawira and Seth Masese.
The task force is equally expected to review reports of cases, invite written memoranda from the public and work collaboratively with the National Government Administration Officers to discharge its function.
Femicide statistics
The task force is expected to come up with a report in 90 days and report to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki through the office of the Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report indicate that 725 cases of femicide were reported in 2024, translating into 2.66 per 100,000 women.
The report equally revealed that 47 women are killed weekly in Kenya, with 75 per cent of them being murdered by people known to them including spouses, partners, relatives and friends.
In December 2024, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat said the authorities had recorded at least 97 femicide cases over three months.
