Fear has quietly engulfed many women in Nyahururu as the increasing number of femicide cases reported across Kenya continues to spark anxiety and uncertainty.
For many women in the town, simple routines such as walking home in the evening, boarding public transport, or meeting unfamiliar people now come with heightened caution.
Conversations around safety have become more common among friends, families, and social groups as reports of women being killed in relationships and other violent circumstances dominate headlines nationwide.
“I no longer feel as free as before,” said a Laikipia University student in Nyahururu. You constantly have to think about where you are going, who you are with, and what time you will get home,” noted the student.
The growing concern follows a rise in femicide and gender-based violence cases in Kenya, with rights organizations warning that women are increasingly becoming victims of deadly violence, often at the hands of people known to them.
According to the recent “Counting the Cost: A Decade of Femicide in Kenya,” a 2025/2026 data investigation report produced by africadatahub.org in partnership with africauncensored.online and odipodev.com over 1,000 women were killed in Kenya between 2016 and 2025.
The report shows 102 deaths were recorded last year alone, with many of the femicide cases linked to intimate partners and domestic violence.
Rights groups say most victims are young women aged between 18 and 35.
In Nyahururu, women say the stories have changed how they move and interact in public spaces.
Some now avoid walking alone at night, while others prefer sharing live locations with friends or using trusted transport operators.
Businesswoman Jane Wanjiku says the fear has affected everyday life. “Even when closing my shop in the evening, I have to ensure someone knows where I am. Women are scared because the cases keep increasing,” she added.
Human rights activists argue that beyond fear, the trend reflects deeper societal problems, including domestic violence, weak law enforcement, economic stress, and normalization of abuse against women.
According to UNESCO, police data indicates that at least one woman is killed every day in Kenya because of femicide.
Women’s rights groups continue calling for stronger protection systems, quicker investigations, and tougher action against perpetrators, warning that unless urgent measures are taken, more women will continue living in fear.
As the country struggles to address the crisis, many women in Nyahururu say caution has now become part of survival.
By Mango Masiaga and Kimani Tirus
