Some NGOs in the country have raised concern over the rising cases of femicide and asked the government to step up efforts to contain the worrying trend.
Consequently, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), Federal of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA), the Law society of Kenya and all women rights organizations have come together to highly condemn the rising cases of femicide, brutality, killings and rape of women and young girls in the country.
Speaking to the press in Vihiga sub county, Tom Onzere from Uzalendo group condemned the brutal murders they had encountered in the area, and condemned femicide cases that are on the high rise.
“We have witnessed the murder of Sheilah Jaruha who was brutally killed and her body disposed of at river Kikuyu in Sabatia Sub County on April 28, 2024,” he said.
“Recently, we have witnessed the murder of Dralon Kanaga , a grade 8 pupil from Masana Comprehensive school who was defiled, brutally killed and her body disposed at their neighbor’s farm,” added Onzere.
Onzere noted that FIDA has reports indicating that in every 70 murder cases reported weekly in their offices, 35 of them are women who have been killed as a result of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
He underscored the need for femicide sensitization to reduce on rampant murder cases in the county.
On his part, Robert Ouko, who is a lawyer and works with The Institute of Social Accountability (TISA) Kenya called for the government to implement Gender Based Violence (GBV) fund for supporting the affected ones and their families to be catered for.
He added that he is grateful the county government of Vihiga has Opened a GBV center to address and reduce the murder cases, to educate the public and to counsel the victims.
“I am very grateful that Vihiga County has opened a GBV center to help curb the cases although it is not fully operational yet,” said Ouko.
Ouko asked the security agencies to fully investigate cases and give feedback to the public within limited time to avoid linking of innocent people as suspects in cases.
Ouko called onto the County women representative, Beatrice Adagala to use the available resources to reduce femicide, rape, violence and murder of women in Vihiga.
Violet Mugea, a resident from Vihiga Sub county condemned the rising brutality women were facing and demanded for justice.
“In April 2026, an Mpesa lady from Luanda was killed while on her daily routine. Until now, her family has not received the justice they deserve,” said Mugea.
“Many women and young girls in Vihiga County are succumbing to death mainly as a result of femicide, rape and violence,” added Mugea.
She demanded for justice of the murdered women and the killed children who were not spared from rape and femicide around Vihiga County.
In Vihiga County, a children’s assembly was formed to voice out their concerns and participate in local governance, Mugea called on them to seek justice for the Masana Comprehensive school pupil who was brutally murdered.
James Nyabera from Tambua Social Justice Center called onto the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the killings and deaths of young women and make the perpetrators face the law.
He asked all the security departments in Vihiga County to ensure every citizen is living freely and curb the insecurity cases.
by Florence Oteng’o and Maureen Imbayi
