The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has delivered an ultimatum to the government, threatening protests unless their demands are met.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, the women’s rights organization expressed concern over increasing Gender-Based Violence cases and threatened street demonstrations in 40 days.
According to FIDA, Gender-Based Violence has reached crisis levels that demand attention. They pointed to several recent cases that remain unsolved or under investigation despite the establishment of a Technical Working Group by President William Ruto earlier this year.
“While we recognize the President’s initiative to create the Technical Working Group on GBV, including Femicide, and the subsequent report released on 26/5/2026, we are deeply concerned that the President has not implemented the group’s key recommendations,” FIDA stated in their declaration.
One prominent GBV case cited by FIDA involved Sylvia Kemunto, a first-year Multimedia University student found dead in a water tank, strangled with evidence of self-defense.
FIDA also reported numerous underreported cases, noting that femicide is often not recognized as a distinct crime, with most cases classified as homicides without acknowledging gender-based motives, making proper tracking difficult.
Among the rights group’s demands is that the government should establish femicide as a specific crime category and maintain accurate records of all gender-based violence cases.
Additionally, the organization requested a status report on the implementation of recommendations from the president’s Technical Working Group.
Furthermore, FIDA urged President Ruto to provide adequate funding for addressing GBV and femicide.
“Preventing and responding to GBV and femicide requires stable funding. It’s crucial to support survivors by establishing a dedicated national budget for prevention, response, and survivor assistance, and by requesting contributions from development partners and well-wishers to this fund,” the statement continued.
Should these demands not be met, FIDA warned it would organize peaceful protests nationwide. The group also committed to filing a Strategic Interest Litigation to ensure justice and compel the government to fulfill its legal obligations.
FIDA’s declaration follows controversy surrounding the death of Rachel Wandeto, who died in a petrol attack.
Wandeto’s demise has sparked widespread condemnation from key political figures, including President William Ruto, who promised to hold the perpetrators accountable.