Why femicide continues, and how to end it

Placards bearing names such as Rita Waeni and Starlet Wahu bobbed above determined faces  in Nairobi last year – women among many lost to a harrowing surge in femicide gripping Kenya.

In just 90 days, 97 women were killed due to gender-based violence, and the scourge continues unabated despite public outcry and government assurances.

Hardly a day passes without reports of another woman killed by a lover or husband. President William Ruto recently acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling for both governmental action and community introspection.

“As parents, starting with myself, as Kenyans, we must also deal with the moral issue... we should start by saying, what shall I do as a citizen?” he said. While his call to action is well-intentioned, it underscores an uncomfortable truth: policies and law enforcement are necessary but insufficient.

The roots of femicide in Kenya run deep, nourished by entrenched patriarchal norms and a disturbing normalisation of violence against women.

Prof Awino Okech, a Kenyan academic at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, highlights how this normalisation often begins at home.

Boys and girls in many Kenyan households are socialised into rigid gender roles, with dominance portrayed as natural for men and submission expected of women. This early conditioning desensitises generations to violence, making it an acceptable means of asserting control or resolving conflicts.

Media coverage often exacerbates the problem. Rather than addressing systemic failures that allow femicide to thrive, narratives frequently shift blame onto victims, scrutinising their personal choices, relationships, or perceived flaws.

To dismantle the culture of normalised violence, a multifaceted approach is essential.

First, education is key. Gender education must be integrated into school curricula to challenge harmful stereotypes early.

Community workshops and media campaigns can reinforce these lessons, promoting gender equality and non-violent conflict resolution.

Second, men and boys must be actively engaged in the fight against femicide. Encouraging them to become allies and fostering positive masculinity can reshape societal norms.

Programmes that cultivate empathy and challenge toxic masculinity have proven effective in other countries and could yield similar results in Kenya.

Third, the legal framework must be strengthened. While Kenya has laws against gender-based violence, enforcement remains weak.

Recognising femicide as a distinct crime would improve data collection and signal a zero-tolerance approach.

Additionally, resources for survivors – such as shelters, counselling, and legal aid – must be expanded and made more accessible. Finally, collective responsibility is critical.

Combating femicide is not solely the government’s burden; it is a societal imperative. Only by addressing systemic, cultural, and individual barriers can Kenya hope to end the scourge of femicide and create a safer, more equitable society.

The writer is the Executive Director of US-based YouthRoots. [email protected]