A coalition of civil society organizations is urging the government to immediately classify Gender-based Violence (GBV), including femicide, as a national emergency as deaths of women and girls continue to rise throughout the nation.
In a collective statement issued on May 20, the organizations described Kenya as experiencing a “critical situation” of violence targeting women and girls, emphasizing that swift nationwide measures are required to prevent further fatalities.
The coalition voiced alarm over what they characterized as appalling incidents involving women being attacked, murdered, with their bodies disfigured or abandoned.
The statement underscored multiple recent occurrences, including the demise of Sylvia Kemunto, a first-year Multimedia University student, who was discovered deceased in a water tank following alleged strangulation. The organizations also mentioned the fatal stabbing of Anita by her spouse, a high-ranking Kenya Defence Forces official, in the presence of her child and domestic staff, along with the murder of Rose Benter Apondi, a Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology student, characterized as a retaliatory act by her former partner.
Additionally, they referenced the case of gospel musician Rachel Wandetto, who lost her life after being assaulted, doused with gasoline, and set ablaze by unidentified individuals.
Statistics from FIDA-Kenya reveal that 35 out of 70 weekly cases documented at their branches during 2026 are directly associated with physical and sexual gender-based violence involving intimate partners. They also cited Amnesty International Kenya reports indicating a minimum of eight femicide cases are reported each week nationally.
“This translates to approximately one woman being killed daily in Kenya. Femicide victims between the ages of 18 and 35 constitute 59% of all cases nationwide, with the majority being university students,” the statement noted.
The organizations observed that most offenders are current or former partners or relatives, with many victims having previously reported abuse but reportedly receiving minimal or no assistance from officials or community members.
Despite existing legislation including the Sexual Offences Act, the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, the organizations contended that enforcement remains inadequate, leaving numerous women at risk.
The coalition recognized President William Ruto’s initiative in creating a Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, but criticized the government for purportedly not implementing crucial recommendations issued by the task force earlier in the year.
Among their requests, the organizations request the government to designate GBV and femicide as a national emergency within the next 40 days, establish and activate a GBV fund, develop rapid response and survivor assistance programs, and initiate a nationwide educational initiative against violence directed at women and girls.
They also urged the National Police Service to furnish periodic reports on investigations, prosecution actions, and steps being implemented to enhance management of GBV-related cases.
The organizations cautioned that failure to respond within 40 days would provoke nationwide peaceful demonstrations and legal actions designed to compel the government to fulfill its constitutional obligation to safeguard women and girls.