The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Langat has revealed that at least 97 women have been killed in the last three months.
Addressing the media, the police boss raised alarm on the increased insecurity cases urging Kenyans to collaborate with the security agencies in tackling gender-based violence in society.
“Murders against women have increased, with 97 cases having been reported in the last three months,” Eliud Langat said during the press briefing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the National Police Headquarters.
“This troubling trend highlights the urgent need for focused action and collaboration to tackle the widespread problem of gender-based violence in society.”
The DIG further disclosed that several suspects of the murders have been arrested and arraigned in court.
“As investigations continue, several suspects have been arrested and arraigned in court,” he stated.
This comes after the Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya (FIDA) demanded President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis.
FIDA on Femicide
On Tuesday, October 29, FIDA raised concerns about the increase in murder of women and girls demanding the president address the nation and declare femicide a national crisis and disaster.
In addition, FIDA urged Ruto to assure the public that this administration is actively working to protect women and girls across the nation.
According to the organisation, domestic violence and the increasing femicide are acts that should be unequivocally condemned.
“President Ruto must address the nation and speak to women and girls, providing a clear and unwavering commitment to their right to life, safety and security. The President should officially declare femicide a national crisis and a disaster, assuring the public that this administration is actively working to protect women and girls across the nation,” FIDA demanded.
“We demand that he directs the National Police Service to issue a comprehensive communique on the status of the investigations within the next 14 days.”
The organisation stated that the brutality of the murders has raised questions on the state of the national security crisis adding that in 2024, the country has reported 30 cases of women who died as a result of gender-based violence.
“In 2024, so far, FIDA-Kenya is aware of at least 30 cases of women who have died in the hands of intimate partners as a result of domestic violence and femicide. The brutality of their murders speaks to a dangerous and unresolved national crisis,” FIDA stated.
