97 women killed in 90 days: Gov't reveals shocking femicide stats

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has revealed that 97 women were tragically killed in femicide cases over a span of just 90 days this year.

Mwaura, in a statement on Tuesday marking this year's International Human Rights Day, said another 150 women lost their lives to femicide in 2023.

He emphasized Kenya's commitment to human rights, highlighting its adherence to various international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), among others.

"As a nation, we have made significant progress in the promotion and protection of human rights. Kenya has ratified international conventions amongst them, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)," said Mwaura.

"Further, the country recently marked 20 years of the inclusion of disability rights through national legislation. Chapter Four of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides for fundamental rights and freedoms using a human rights-based approach."

However, Mwaura noted that the concerning femicide figures highlight a disturbing trend that continues to threaten the safety and dignity of women in Kenya.

"As we celebrate our progress, we must also acknowledge the challenges that persist. Femicide, for example, has been on the rise, with 97 women regrettably being killed in 90 days and another 150 who lost their lives in 2023," he said.

"The government condemns these acts in the strongest of terms and stands in solidarity with the families and friends of the departed. In collaboration with both state and non-state actors, the state is actively working towards addressing these challenges to ensure to all Kenyans their human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Mwaura's sentiments come as protesters on Tuesday took to the streets in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to demonstrate the rising femicide cases.

Videos shared on social media showed protesters being roughed up and arrested in the by what appeared to be plainclothes police officers.

This just days after Kenya was ranked among 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa whose administrations have oppressed human rights in the past year,

The annual report titled People Power Under Attack 2024, by global civil society organisation CIVICUS, stated that four countries, including Kenya, were downgraded due to their oppressive nature.

Other countries such as Eswatini, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso's rating for curtailing fundamental freedom rights.

The report ranks countries into five categories based on the freedoms of associations and the government's duty to protect human rights. The categories include open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed and closed.

Kenya's rating was downgraded from obstructed to repressed following the police brutality witnessed during the Gen Z protests that rocked the nation in mid-2024.

"The government’s violent response caused the deaths of at least 60 unarmed protesters and police arrested at least 1,000 people," the report read in part.

"Abductions of protesters and online supporters of the protests have continued months after the protests, as security forces hunt down those they suspect of involvement, creating a chilling effect on civic freedoms." 

The report also accused Kenyan authorities of disrupting peaceful protests by using brute force, engaging in abductions and prosecuting human rights defenders, protestors, and journalists.

According to the report, countries such as Botswana and Liberia improved their rankings by allowing political expression and defending human rights.