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  • February 18, 2025
The government does not release shocking statistics on femicides

The government does not release shocking statistics on femicides

The government does not release shocking statistics on femicides

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura during an earlier briefing. | PHOTO: @MwauraIsaac1/X

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has revealed that 97 women have tragically died in cases of femicide in just 90 days this year.

Mwaura said in a statement on Tuesday to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day that another 150 women would lose their lives to femicide by 2023.

He highlighted Kenya’s commitment to human rights, stressing that the country adheres to several international treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), among others.

“As a nation, we have made significant progress in promoting and protecting human rights. Kenya has ratified mutual international treaties, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” Mwaura said.

“Furthermore, the country recently completed two decades of incorporating disability rights into national law. Chapter Four of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, provides for fundamental rights and freedoms using a human rights-based approach.”

However, Mwaura noted that the disturbing femicide figures highlight a disturbing trend that continues to threaten the safety and dignity of women in Kenya.

“While we celebrate our progress, we must also recognize the challenges that remain. Femicide, for example, is on the rise, with 97 women sadly murdered in 90 days and another 150 losing their lives in 2023,” he said.

“The government condemns these actions in the strongest terms and stands in solidarity with the families and friends of the deceased. In partnership with both state and non-state actors, the state is actively working to address these challenges to ensure the security of all Kenyans. human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Videos shared on social media showed protesters being assaulted and arrested by plainclothes police officers.

The annual report titled People Power Under Attack 2024 by global civil society organization CIVICUS stated that four countries, including Kenya, have been downgraded due to their oppressive nature.

Other countries, such as Eswatini, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, score high for restricting fundamental freedom rights.

The report ranks countries into five categories, based on freedom of association and governments’ duty to protect human rights. The categories include open, narrowed, obstructed, suppressed and closed.

Kenya’s rating was downgraded from hampered to suppressed as a result of the police violence witnessed during the Gen Z protests that rocked the country in mid-2024.

“The government’s violent response caused the deaths of at least 60 unarmed protesters and police arrested at least 1,000 people,” the report said in part.

“Kidnappings of protesters and online supporters of the protests continue months after the protests as security forces hunt down those they suspect of involvement, having a chilling effect on civil liberties.”

The report also accused Kenyan authorities of disrupting peaceful protests by using brutal force, engaging in kidnappings and persecuting human rights defenders, protesters and journalists.

According to the report, countries such as Botswana and Liberia improved their rankings by allowing political expression and defending human rights.