President Ruto Silent Amidst National Femicide Crisis As FIDA Issues Fresh Demands
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has urged President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis in light of the heinous murders of several women in the last month.
In a statement issued on October 29, FIDA urged the Head of State to immediately direct security officers across the country to expedite the investigation of all feminicide cases and arrest all perpetrators within fourteen days.
While condemning the murders, FIDA emphasized that the horrific and persistent violence against women witnessed in the country in recent weeks necessitated immediate and unwavering action by all sectors, including the government.
“The President should officially declare femicide a national crisis and a disaster, assuring the public that this administration is actively working to protect women and girls across the nation,” read part of the statement by FIDA.
Joint Statement: H.E the President @WilliamsRuto must address the nation and speak to women & girls, providing a commitment to their right to life, safety & security. The President should officially declare femicide a national crisis and a disaster… pic.twitter.com/QIiYGJXoVS
— FIDA-Kenya (@fidakenya) October 29, 2024
“We demand that he directs the National Police Service to issue a comprehensive communique on the status of the investigations within the next 14 days.”
According to the lobby group, Kenya’s Constitution protects Kenyans’ right to life and freedom to seek security.
As a result, the country’s recent spate of unprecedented cases of femicide was a clear violation of women’s and girls’ constitutional rights.
According to FIDA’s statement, at least 30 women have been killed since the beginning of the year under unclear circumstances, including domestic violence and femicide.
However, the non-governmental organization claims that, despite the cases being reported in various police stations, the investigation has been excruciatingly slow, resulting in a denial of justice.
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Additionally, President Ruto was urged to fill the vacant position of gender cabinet secretary as soon as possible in order to help coordinate a multisectoral approach to femicide prevention across the country.
“This Cabinet Secretary must spearhead awareness and sensitisation initiatives on evolving issues, such as electronically facilitated gender-based violence (EFGBV), and champion collaborative efforts across government and civil society to address gender-based violence (GBV),” read the demand notice.
The last demand came in the wake of the tragic murders of three Eastleigh women of Somali origin and a female student at Mt Kenya University.
While briefing journalists on the investigations, the head of homicide detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that key suspects had been apprehended and that the investigation was still ongoing to bring more perpetrators to justice.
President Ruto Silent Amidst National Femicide Crisis As FIDA Issues Fresh Demands
