By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary, disclosed that 100 women were tragically murdered in the country between August and November 2024. Speaking on Thursday, Mudavadi called femicide “the elephant in the room” within Kenya’s security sector.
“The country recorded 100 murders of women from August to November 2024. Investigations by the DCI are complete, but the majority of these cases are still pending in court,” Mudavadi stated. He also highlighted that a specialized unit had been created by the Inspector General of Police to specifically address femicide, a growing concern.
In addition to the alarming murders, Mudavadi revealed that from September 2023 to the present, there have been 7,107 reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence, with Nairobi bearing the highest number of incidents. The lowest figures were recorded in Samburu and Mandera counties.
Mudavadi also mentioned that President William Ruto has recently established a presidential working group focused on tackling femicide in Kenya.
The grim toll of violence against women continues to rise, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive action and better protection for women, especially in urban areas. It is heartbreaking to see the extent of this violence, and while measures like specialized units and task forces are steps in the right direction, it is clear that more decisive and widespread action is needed to address the root causes of femicide and ensure the safety of women nationwide.
