Mass protests against the killing of women in Kenya

Written by: Ayman Ragab

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of the Kenyan capital on Monday, demanding the government By urgently investigating the increasing cases of gender-based violence and femicide.

The protesters marched through the streets of Nairobi carrying banners with messages such as “Stop killing women,” and they also raised awareness about the disappearances and killings of children that have been reported locally in recent weeks.

Protests against the killing of women in Kenya

Women's rights organizations have warned of increasing cases of gender-based violence and urged the government to declare it a national crisis.

This comes after a local singer was doused with gasoline and set on fire, later dying from her injuries.

On May 23, police said they had formed a specialist investigation unit, bringing together criminal intelligence analysts, forensic experts, homicide investigators and other specialists.

Police said most cases of gender-based violence were linked to domestic disputes, intimate partner violence, sexual offenses, assault, and unresolved family conflicts.

70 cases of gender-based violence

According to the Kenya Women Lawyers Association, the organization receives about 70 cases of gender-based violence every week through its three offices in Nairobi, the coastal city of Mombasa and the lakeside city of Kisumu.

On May 21, pressure groups issued a 40-day ultimatum to the government to act or face nationwide protests.