Senator Okenyuri condemns surge in femicide, calls for swift justice

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri has raised the alarm over the rising cases of femicide and gender-based violence in Kenya, calling for immediate and decisive action from both the government and the public.

In a post shared on X on Friday, May 30, 2025, Okenyuri denounced the growing crisis, describing it as a reflection of deeply entrenched societal issues fueled by silence, subjugation, inequality, and a culture of impunity.

She urged Kenyans to confront these injustices head-on and demand accountability and justice for victims.

"Gender-based violence and femicide are not separate issues they are deeply connected, with one often leading to the other," Senator Okenyuri stated.

She called on Kenyans to reject the normalization of abuse and to challenge systems that allow perpetrators to evade justice.

“Each life lost should serve as a powerful reminder that justice delayed is justice denied,” she added.

Okenyuri further stressed that the fight against gender-based violence is not a gender war, but a united effort to uphold the dignity and safety of every Kenyan. "This isn’t a battle of women versus men," she emphasized.

"It is a shared responsibility a collective duty for the nation," Okenyuri affirmed. "We must unite and stand together to foster peace and safety within our society."

Her comments come amid a troubling rise in femicide cases across Kenya.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows a 40% increase in gender-based violence over the past five years, with femicide accounting for a large portion of these incidents.

Police records reveal that over 90 women have been killed in femicide-related cases in just the last three months.

A separate report from UN Women revealed that in 2023, at least 51,100 women worldwide fell victim to femicide, with more than half of these killings carried out by intimate partners or family members.

Kenya has also been heavily impacted. By February 2025, the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide had recorded over 170 femicide cases nationwide.

This task force, chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, was established by President William Ruto in January 2025 to address the escalating crisis.

Although Kenya has enacted policies and laws to combat gender-based violence, the task force identified significant gaps in coordination and enforcement at both national and county levels. They also pointed out the shortage of safe spaces for survivors, particularly in marginalized areas.

"While some counties have established rescue centres, others, such as Migori, still lack these vital facilities," the task force reported in a recent briefing.

"We will recommend allocating resources to counties to establish more centres and enhance support systems for survivors."

As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, Senator Okenyuri’s plea highlights that combating gender-based violence requires more than words—it calls for sustained political commitment, transparency, and a shared sense of responsibility across the country.