Govt Asks Kenyans To Come Up With Ways To End Femicide
The government condemned the fresh wave of femicide cases pledging its commitment to getting to the bottom of the surge of the cases.
Marvin Chege 
The government on Thursday, January 23 called on Kenyans to volunteer strategies and ideas on how to deal conclusively with the fresh wave of femicide cases that have hit the country.
In a statement, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura observed media reports indicating that 15 women have recently lost their lives, thus increasing cases of femicide across the country.
Mwaura at the same time drummed up support for the 42-member Technical Working Group set up by President William Ruto to tackle cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Including femicide, which was a headline topic in 2024.
Further, the government condemned the fresh wave of femicide cases pledging its commitment to getting to the bottom of the surge of the cases.
Thousands protest against increasing violence against women in Kenya on January 27, 2024. /AP
"The government takes note of media reports that 15 women have recently lost their lives, thus increasing cases of femicide across the country. The government condoles with the families and relatives of the departed, including Wairimu & Nderema, aged 13 years old," stated Mwaura.
"The government strongly condemns these inhuman acts & our security forces are working round the clock to bring the culprits to book. Let’s support the task force recently constituted by President Wiliam Ruto by volunteering ideas & strategies to deal with femicide effectively."
On Friday, January 10, President Ruto appointed former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza to chair the task force. The member list included prominent names such as Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo and Citizen TV investigative journalist Franklin Wallah.
Other members joining the task force include Mohammed Washala Abdi, Ruth Aura Odhiambo, Linah Kilimo, Edna Ngare Ngeno, Linda Musumba, Nobert Talam, Michael Kariuki, Charles Ismael Otieno Otiende, Diana Christine Nanjala, Peter Mwangi Kamau, Anthony Nzioki, Surum Ipato Korema, Anne Ngetich, Wangu Kanja, James Nombi, Kizito Wangalwa, Harleen Kaur Jabbal, and Bashir Isaak.
Valentine Chepkoech Simei, Shem Nyakutu, Janey Leakey, Beatrice Karwitha, Lucy Njeri Mwaniki, Purity Ngina, Sam Thenya, Susan Ndanyi, Antonia N'gabala Sodonon, Mercy Karanja, Gloria Wawira, Ann Ireri, Seth Masese and Mashetti Masinjila also joined the taskforce.
The Technical Working Group will be mandated to assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the institutional, legal, and policy response to GBV and femicide in the country.
In terms of reference, the task force will aid in identifying trends, hotspots, and causes contributing to GBV and femicide. The team will also assess the current legal and policy frameworks on GBV and femicide. Consequently, they will be required to propose amendments to strengthen various laws on femicide and GBV.
"The terms of Reference of the technical working group is to evaluate resource allocation, training levels, and operational effectiveness in managing prevention, response, support and investigations related to cases on GBV and femicide," read the notice in part.
Furthermore, the task force will conduct community engagements to gather input on solutions to combat GBV and femicide, provide actionable recommendations on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivor support mechanisms in GBV and femicide cases; examine the role of social media coverage in GBV and femicide, including its influence on public perception, awareness, and policy-making.
Additionally, it will identify psychological issues related to the commission of crimes associated with GBV and femicide, establish socioeconomic challenges contributing to and exacerbating the commission of GBV and femicide; and recommend proposals to strengthen family ties, foster harmonious co-existence among family members, and develop social structures that support the resolution of domestic disputes.
