Women MPs Break Silence Over Rita Waeni, Starlet Wahu Murders, Issue Demands

Female Members of Parliament (MP) under the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) have issued a statement after Kenyans on social media criticised a section of them for failing to comment on the brutal killings of Starlet Wahu and 20-year-old Rita Waeni in Roysambu.

KEWOPA on Wednesday, January 17 began by condemning the increasing incidences of violence against Women and Girls (VAW/G) and specifically the recently reported killings and brutal murders of young Kenyan women being witnessed across the country.

Furthermore, the association's chairperson and Kajiado Woman Representative Leah Sankaire voiced the concerns of the female lawmakers regarding the continued victimization of women on media platforms blaming them for the deaths of the two women.

KEWOPA Chairperson Leah Sankaire (Kajiado) speaks during a breakfast meeting convened by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs on October 11, 2023. /FILE

"As women leaders, we are shocked and outraged at these latest killings of Starlet Wahu Mwangi and the woman recently murdered in an Airbnb in Roysambu; and the continued victimization of these women on online platforms have shed a light on the advancement of technologically-facilitated Gender Based Violence through Kenya's social media blaming the young women for their own deaths," the statement read in part.

KEWOPA underscored that violence against women and girls is a painful practice meant to undermine women and a manifestation of the violation of the basic human rights of girls and women

The association felt the need to speak louder, come out stronger and be able to strengthen the implementation of the existing mechanisms to ensure zero tolerance as well as zero cases.

"As a country, we have been slow to respond to this epidemic, and current attempts at addressing SGBV have been haphazard at the least, and uncoordinated at best. Women are not safe in public spaces, in government buildings, in their schools or even in their own homes.

"KEWOPA calls upon the government of Kenya through the various agencies liable to urgently act towards the prevention of violence and strengthen the protection of women and girls from all forms of VAW/G in accordance with laws and policies," the association demanded.

KEWOPA also urged President William Ruto to declare femicide and other forms of Gender Based Violence a national disaster and commit to addressing it.

It also called upon the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General to speed up investigations in all ongoing femicide cases and bring the perpetrators to book.

"We at Kenya Women Parliamentary Association feel the pain of everyone who has been a victim in one way or the other and share the pain of those who have lost their loved ones through violence. We as women legislators continue to be committed to a violent free society, a people that not only appreciate the demerits of the practice but also understand that it adds no value to our beloved women and girls.

"KEWOPA will continue in its legislative and advocacy interventions and remain as a strong partner to ensure that we speak with our actions," it added while announcing that it is standing in solidarity with Kenyans calling for an end to the victim-blaming narratives using the hashtag #StopKillingWomen.

Much of the criticism by Kenyans on social media, especially on X, was directed at female politicians especially sitting Parliamentarians for turning a deaf ear in speaking out against the macabre killings.

Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris was called out for being silent on the matter, however, spot checks by Viral Tea revealed that she had reposted KEWOPA's statement on the social media platform.

Earlier, former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, demanded an end to the gruesome femicide crimes against women.

"It is sad to see a troubling increase in the deaths of young women, leaving a trail of grief for families and friends. The abnormality of these murders cannot become the new normal. Murder is and will always be wrong, and there is no excuse.

"The ugly scourge of murder of women is now a national emergency. It is a threat to homeland security. It must come to an end," he stated on X on Wednesday morning, January 17.

A Nigerian national linked to the Roysambu murder was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as he was on his way out of the country bound for Abuja.

For the Starlet Wahu murder case, the main suspect, John Matara, was arrested on Friday, January 5 with police investigating the matter granted 21 days to hold the suspect, amidst explosive accounts from his victims surfacing after the murder was reported.