The scourge of gender violence: Kenya's most shocking cases of 2024

A wave of horrific gender-based violence cases shook Kenya in 2024, igniting widespread public outrage and reinvigorating demands for justice. These incidents laid bare the enduring vulnerability of women to violence whilst exposing critical shortcomings in the country's systems of protection and prosecution.

Rita Waeni: The Instagram murder

The year began on a tragic note with the brutal murder of Rita Waeni, a vivacious 20-year-old Fourth Year student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Rita had connected with her killer on Instagram, where he operated under the pseudonym Carlton Maina. The horrific discovery of her dismembered remains was made on January 14, in a short-term rental flat along Thika Road Mall Drive in Nairobi's Roysambu district. A week later, investigators recovered her head from a dam in Kiambu County.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that a calculating predator had first contacted Rita on October 2, 2023. "Extensive forensic analyses have documented the deceased's final moments and linked potential suspects to her murder," the DCI reported. "We have recorded detailed statements from persons of interest and gathered additional data from digital platforms to pursue every lead to Rita's killer(s)."

The perpetrator displayed remarkable criminal acumen, systematically altering his Instagram account name before erasing it entirely after the murder. According to the DCI: "The suspect demonstrates a sophisticated criminal mindset, evidenced by his deliberate avoidance of CCTV cameras. He is fluent in both Swahili and English and shows comprehensive knowledge of Nairobi and its environs."

Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor confirmed that Rita died by strangulation before her body was dismembered. On February 5, her family held a private burial ceremony at their Mukimwani Village home in Makueni County.

Rebecca Cheptegei: Olympic dreams turned to ashes

September brought another horrific incident when Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was fatally attacked in Endebess town, Trans-Nzoia County. Her former partner, Dickson Ndiema, ambushed her as she returned from church, dousing her with petrol before setting her ablaze. The 33-year-old athlete, who had secured her place in the Paris Olympics with a personal best of 2:22:47 at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon, sustained burns to more than 80 percent of her body.

Dr Kimani Mbugua of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret recounted their desperate attempts to save her life: "The damage was already extensive upon her arrival. We provided organ support to the best of our capabilities, but sadly, her injuries proved insurmountable."

Local authorities disclosed that the attack stemmed from a property dispute over a small plot of land where Cheptegei lived and trained. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, conveyed the family's anguish to journalists. Ndiema later succumbed to his injuries in intensive care, having sustained burns to 40 percent of his body.

UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem denounced the murder: "Rebecca's death highlights the plague of violence that women worldwide endure, often at the hands of those they should trust most." At her burial in northeast Uganda, Cheptegei received full military honours, including a gun salute from the Ugandan military, where she had served.

The Eastleigh triple tragedy

October witnessed a harrowing triple murder that devastated Nairobi. The victims — Waris Daud, her 21-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir—were killed and their bodies discovered across the Nairobi Metropolitan Area: one in Parklands, another in Bahati, whilst Daud's remains were found in Machakos.

Following an extensive manhunt that extended into Somalia and Ethiopia, police apprehended Hashim Dagane Muhumed in Eastleigh. The suspect had attempted to conceal his identity by shaving his head and beard. Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation John Onyango acknowledged the complexities of the investigation: "We believe he acquired citizenship approximately three or four years ago. We are working with relevant agencies to establish further details."

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has called for public patience, noting that specialist security teams are working diligently to unravel the intricacies of this complex case.

Seth Nyakio: A mother's unending pain

The murder of Seth Nyakio, a Zetech University graduate, in Thika's Biafra area on October 14, remains unresolved. Her mother, Lucy Njeri, speaks of her only child with profound sorrow: "My daughter was loving, charming and deeply respectful. She connected with everyone and remained my staunchest supporter throughout my campaign journey. I still cannot fathom why anyone would take her life, as she was financially independent."

Before her untimely death, Seth had established herself as a successful entrepreneur, managing two thriving companies. Her mother describes the devastating toll of the loss: "My work productivity has suffered immensely, and I wonder if I shall ever recover my former capabilities. I have become a different person—fragile and perpetually anxious. Though I once spoke boldly about gender-based violence, I can no longer do so. My nights are filled with tears and haunted by nightmares of my daughter."

Lucy has voiced her frustration with the investigation's progress, citing concerning irregularities: "Despite identifying myself as Nyakio's mother, crucial information was withheld from me. My repeated requests for the Occurrence Book number under which her murder was reported have gone unanswered. The investigation has been marked by significant gaps and apparent cover-ups."

Whilst the case has been transferred to the homicide department at DCI headquarters, the primary suspect remains at large. "If the government were truly committed, they could apprehend the suspect," Lucy contends. "I suspect certain government officials may be shielding him from arrest. The DCI should release his photograph to enable public assistance in the investigation."

These harrowing cases have amplified demands for dedicated femicide courts, acknowledging that such crimes warrant specialist judicial handling and expedited justice. As 2024 concludes, these tragic events stand as a sobering testament to Kenya's pressing need to combat gender-based violence and strengthen protections for vulnerable women and girls.

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