Human rights defenders and gender advocates in Nakuru have called on the justice system players to expedite femicide cases to ensure justice is delivered and perpetrators are punished.

Speaking during a femicide and pedicide awareness walk, human rights defender Maimuna Munyi called on the government to end impunity by fast-tracking cases of femicide and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

Ms Munyi further faulted the Nakuru County Government for failing to establish a rescue center for survivors of gender-based violence despite years of commitments.

“We are still asking and recommending a rescue centre. However, it is now over two decades since this commitment was made. To date, we do not have a rescue centre where survivors can be rescued and given a safe space as they pursue their cases,” Munyi notes.

She urges all stakeholders to work together to address the growing cases of femicide and ensure pending cases are concluded.

“Most cases are still pending, and we do not know what our political leaders are doing. Are they not being affected? Are we not the ones who elected them? We must demand accountability as an electorate,” she says.

Her sentiments are echoed by Nkatha Mugau, Executive Director of Frolics of Hope, who expresses concern over the increasing number of women and children losing their lives to violence.

Nkatha Mugau, Executive Director of Frolics of Hope addresses the media at the Nakuru End Femicide and GBV Walk, flanked by fellow demonstrators holding placards calling for an end to violence against women and children.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR / MTAA WANGU

“Over the last year, the country has lost more than 156 women in cases reported by the media. That is very alarming, and those are only the cases we know about. Imagine those we do not know,” she says.

Mugau says it is time for authorities to implement recommendations already proposed to address the crisis, including those developed by the presidential Gender Technical Working Group.

She also raises concern over the increasing number of children reported missing and later found dead, calling on the Ministry of Interior to provide answers to the public.

“We are seeing a rising number of children being kidnapped and later turning up dead. It makes us question what is going on in our country. We are calling on the Ministry of Interior to furnish the public with information, so they know what is happening to our children. Where are they disappearing to? Why are they dying?” Mugau asks

She adds, “We cannot continue making the same statements over and over again. We need answers, and we need them today.”

Demonstrators pose with placards during the anti-GBV march in Nakuru on June 3, with signs calling for an end to silence and violence against women during the end to violence against women and children

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR /MTAA WANGU

According to the activists, Nakuru County recorded about 12 femicide cases in April and May alone, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated interventions to curb gender-based violence and protect women and children

Nakuru rights defenders decry absence of county rescue center

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Leleti Jassor