Hundreds of protesters gathered in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to rally against gender-based violence and femicide. Demonstrators marched through the city, blowing whistles and chanting slogans like “stop killing women” and “shame on you.” Their march gained momentum as they headed towards the parliament building, calling for justice and awareness. However, police intervened multiple times, using tear gas to disperse the peaceful crowd and arresting at least three individuals, including Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty International Kenya.
Protests also took place in the cities of Mombasa and Lodwar, as shown in videos circulating on social media. Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya criticized the police response, describing it as a violation of democratic principles and human rights. In a joint statement, they condemned the arrests and the use of force, calling it a “chilling message” to those exercising their right to protest.
Activist Mwikali Mueni, who suffered a neck injury during the police intervention, expressed her frustration, stating, “It is very sad that I was injured while advocating for women’s safety. If the president is serious about ending femicide, he must take action against the officers who brutalized us today.”
President William Ruto recently committed over $700,000 to combat femicide, calling gender-based violence “tragic and unacceptable.” A report by the Kenyan National Commission for Human Rights highlighted the severity of the issue, revealing that 97 women were killed in femicides between August and October this year. Past statistics show a troubling trend, with 75 femicides reported in 2022 and 46 in 2021.
Experts point to patriarchal attitudes and weak legal protections as significant factors contributing to the high levels of gender-based violence in Kenya. Research also shows that one in three Kenyan women experience abuse before the age of 18, primarily from intimate partners or male relatives.
