Feminist March: 75 Groups Demand Ruto To Declare Threat To National Security

75 human rights groups consisting of Kenyan women, individuals and organisations representing a diverse range of women in Kenya on Thursday, January 25 issued a rallying call to President William Ruto's government in response to the alarming rise of femicide cases in the country.

In a statement obtained by Viral Tea, the groups, while strongly condemning the rise in femicide cases plaguing Kenya, urged the government to declare femicide a threat to the country's security and a national emergency.

"We call upon the Kenyan government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, to declare femicide in Kenya a National Emergency and a threat to national security," the statement read in part.

"Further, we call upon Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Security, and Hon Aisha Jumwa, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis."

The organisations affirmed that they stood together in solidarity with all victims of femicide and their families, survivors of intimate partner violence and violence against women, as well as all aggrieved women in Kenya.

These include Feminists, Human Rights Defenders, and People Living with Disabilities. Women survivors of Gender Based Violence, Torture & Human Trafficking; CIS gender; Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, Non-binary, feminine-bodied persons and Queer Women.

Others included Sex workers and Women Human Rights Defenders. Women who work in the informal sector; women who are Persons With Disabilities; domestic workers; women in artisanal mining; Christian, Hindu and Muslim women; women politicians. Women in Media, Civil Society Organizations, and all the women of Kenya across race, religion, sexual identity, socio-economic class, political affiliations and age groups.

The organisations cited recent cases of femicide, such as the brutal murder of Starlet Wahu Mwangi, the dismemberment of Rita Waeni, and the tragic death of Malkia, terming them not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader issue.

Furthermore, they underlined that the cases highlight the widespread gender inequality, entrenched patriarchal norms, and the lack of effective measures to protect women and girls in their diversity.

"We believe that our collective, national and patriotic responsibility as Kenyan individuals, communities, and institutions is to address and eradicate these deep-rooted issues.

"According to Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, every Kenyan citizen, regardless of gender, age or background, has the right to freedom and security. Every life lost to femicide represents a profound failure of the state and our society to uphold the law as stipulated by our Constitution and International Human Rights instruments ratified by Kenya," added the statement.

Voicing its united stance against femicide, the groups recognized that its eradication requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society spearheaded by an anti-femicide campaign from the Government.

"We demand a safer and more just society for ALL women in Kenya. It is time for decisive action to ensure that no woman or girl in Kenya lives in fear of losing her life simply because of her gender.

"We emphasize that femicide affects women in all their diversities, including cisgender, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and queer women, sex workers, women with disabilities, domestic workers, women in the informal sector, and women of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. This condemnation encompasses all women across race, religion, sexual identity, socio-economic class, political affiliations, and age groups," added the statement.

Among the represented groups included Feminists in Kenya, Kenya Sex Workers Alliance, Zamara Foundation, Usikimye, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya), Social Justice Centers Working Group, The Hummingbird Grassroots Centre and the Centre for Rights, Education, and Awareness (CREAW).

Feminist March (What We Know So Far)

The planned nationwide feminist march now operating under the social media hashtag #TotalShutDownKE will take place at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi from 10.00 am and has seen towns such as Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kilifi, Machakos, Busia and Nyeri all join.

However, the protests in Nyeri will take place on Friday, January 26 while the rest of the major towns will hold theirs the following day. Furthermore, the meeting point for Kilifi was changed to Mkoroshoni at 9 am.

In its update, Usikimye revealed that permits were granted for most counties including Nairobi to hold the peaceful protests and despite not anticipating any arrests, legal teams would be on standby to offer support in case of any arrests.

Those attending the march were urged to wear any red, black or white shirt in the event the t-shirts printed for the occasion ran out. They were also asked to bring a white handkerchief, if possible, as an identifier.

Demonstrators were also advised to carry their water in case bottled water made available ran out and to keep the environment clean by not littering at the meeting locations or the routes used for the march.

"Have a protest buddy and share your buddy's contact with someone who's not attending the march. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes," stated the notice.