LSK President Faith Odhiambo, Citizen TV's Franklin Wallah appointed to femicide taskforce

President William Ruto has appointed Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo and Citizen TV investigative journalist Franklin Wallah to be part of a 34-member task force that will probe the surge in Gender Based Violence (GBV) and femicide cases.

In a special gazette notice issued on Friday, the President explained that the task force would assess, review and recommend measures to strengthen the current policies and structures to eliminate GBV and femicide cases. 

He noted that the cases continue to cause physical and emotional harm to individuals and families who are forced to come to terms with the actions of the perpetrators while at the same time crying out for justice. 

"…There are existing gaps in prevention, response, investigations, prosecution, data management, and survivor support systems in GBV and Femicide cases," read the gazette notice.

"Such egregious violations pose a threat to our national security as well as strain the nation’s social fabric." 

Ruto tasked former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza to chair the task force, which also constitutes Nairobi Women's Hospital founder Dr. Sam Thenya, Mohammed Washala, Ruth Aura, Linah Kilimo.

Others include Edna Ngare, Nobert Talam, Linda Musumba, Anthony Nzioki, Anne Ngetich, Wangu Kanja, Bashir Isaak, Susan Ndanyi, Gloria Wawira and Seth Masese. 

The group will also be tasked with reviewing reports of ongoing cases, inviting written submissions from the public and working collaboratively with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to discharge its mandate.

The task force is expected to develop a report within 90 days and shall report to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki through the Gender Principal Secretary.

Wallah has been on the frontline in highlighting the recent femicide cases that have made headlines including covering the murders of social influencer Starlet Wahu, and campus student Rita Waeni among others.

The escalating crisis of femicide cases has been experienced in the past months, with female bodies being discovered in body bags countrywide.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat, authorities have recorded at least 97 femicide cases over three months.

In November 2024, President Ruto announced 16 days of activism to raise awareness and call an end to violence against women. 

"I want to assure you that we will go out of our way to equip our police to deal with this challenge," he said at the African Divine Church in Nairobi.