Femicide is a national emergency, Barasa says

Kenya’s Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide, chaired by Dr. Nancy Barasa, has sounded the alarm over the escalating number of femicide cases, describing the crisis as a national emergency that demands immediate and decisive intervention.

Addressing stakeholders during a forum held at Kitale National Polytechnic in Trans Nzoia County, Dr. Barasa disclosed that close to 700 women have lost their lives to femicide since 2016—an average of 40 deaths each month.

She cautioned that the actual figures might be higher due to underreporting.

"Sixty per cent of these killings happen within households," she noted.

"Spaces meant to offer love and safety are turning into deadly environments."

Dr. Barasa decried the increasing normalization of domestic abuse and drew attention to the staggering Sh41 billion annual economic toll of GBV on the country.

She further announced that the Technical Working Group is preparing a set of concrete policy proposals that will soon be submitted to President William Ruto.

She encouraged the public and stakeholders to capitalize on the prevailing political goodwill to push for change.

"It’s alarming how some men assault their wives as casually as if they were eating ugali," Dr. Nancy Barasa remarked.

"These women are left traumatized—physically, emotionally, and mentally shattered—often unable to contribute economically."

She emphasized the immense financial toll of gender-based violence, revealing that Kenya loses approximately Sh41 billion each year.

This figure accounts for both government expenditures and the lost productivity of survivors unable to continue working.

"Gender-based violence is more than a social crisis—it’s draining our economy and tearing apart the fabric of our society," Dr. Barasa said.

“Young girls are telling me they’re too afraid to date, fearing their boyfriends might kill them. That’s the kind of fear haunting our communities.”

She revealed that the Technical Working Group is preparing bold and practical policy proposals, which will soon be presented to President William Ruto.

These recommendations aim to address critical gaps in Kenya’s institutional, legal, and policy frameworks.

Dr. Barasa applauded Kenya for becoming the first country globally to acknowledge femicide as a national crisis at the highest level of leadership.

She called on citizens to harness the existing political goodwill to push for meaningful action and end the femicide epidemic.

"We may not be in a good place as a country right now, but the President’s focus on this issue gives us hope. It’s now up to us to take action," she stressed.

Ojiambo Opis, chairperson of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), drew attention to the heightened vulnerability of mentally challenged individuals, especially women, to sexual abuse.

"Some people creep into homes at night, assault mentally challenged individuals, and go unpunished. We also don’t speak enough about deadbeat fathers who abandon women with disabilities and their children," Opis said.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya underscored the need for collective responsibility in tackling the menace.

"This battle can’t be shouldered by the government alone—every citizen has a role to play. When victims report to the police, what happens next? Too often, they’re handed over to volunteers or officers who lack the proper training to support them," he said.

The governor proposed that the Department of Gender be fully empowered, extending its role beyond sports, to collaborate with county governments in supporting survivors and preventing gender-based violence.