Leaders from the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and female Governors have vehemently denounced the recent spate of killings targeting women across the country.
This follows the discovery of nine bodies, including six women, in an abandoned quarry near Kware in Mukuru kwa Njenga in Embakasi South Constituency.
Speaking after viewing the badly mutilated bodies at the City Mortuary in Nairobi, KEWOPA Chairperson, Hon. Leah Sankaire (Kajiado County), stressed the urgent need for enhanced protection systems for women.
“This is a sad day in history, with 42 women murdered since 2022 and the perpetrators still at large. Women’s lives must be safeguarded at all costs,” said Hon. Sankaire. She further advocated for the revival of Gender-Based Desks in all Police Stations, citing their potential in helping identify such criminals.
In solidarity, Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor, Hon. Anne Mumbi Waiguru, condemned the brutal violence and called for swift and thorough investigations to ensure justice for the victims. “This horrifying incident underscores the immediate need to address security concerns and safeguard the protection of all citizens in our society,” stated Governor Waiguru.
Embu Governor Hon. Cecily Mbarire commended the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for their prompt response and urged the National Assembly to allocate funds for Gender-Based Violence in the upcoming Supplementary Estimates 1 for 2024/25.
The women leaders also called on investigators to use sim card information and Man-Machine Interface code (MMI) to trace the perpetrators. They acknowledged the crucial role of civil society groups in protecting women’s lives nationwide.
The leaders’ statements reflect the widespread outrage and demand for immediate action to combat the rising violence against women in Kenya. The call for reinforced security measures and comprehensive investigations highlights the urgency of addressing these heinous crimes and ensuring the safety and protection of all women in the country.