Zamara Foundation Statement on the Recent Femicide in Mukuru kwa Njenga
Zamara Foundation, as a feminist organization committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls in marginalized communities, is deeply shocked and outraged by the discovery of over ten mutilated female bodies in Mukuru kwa Njenga. This horrific act highlights the widespread violence women and girls in Kenya continue to face and is a gross violation of human rights. We strongly condemn this brutal femicide, which goes against our core values and the essence of our society. Every woman deserves to live free from violence and fear. This tragedy is not an isolated incident but a sign of the deep-rooted misogyny and systemic inequalities in our society. We stand in strong solidarity with the victims, their families, and all women living under the threat of gender-based violence, and we are committed to dismantling the patriarchal structures that allow such violence to persist.
The Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to life, human dignity, and freedom from torture and inhuman treatment under Articles 26, 28, and 29, respectively, and laws like the Sexual Offences Act and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act aim to protect women’s rights. However, these laws are meaningless if not enforced. We demand the government uphold its obligations by thoroughly investigating these murders and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The culture of impunity must end. Immediate measures to protect women, including increased resources for law enforcement, support services for survivors, and community-based interventions to prevent violence, are urgently needed.
The fight against femicide and gender-based violence is a collective responsibility. We urge civil society, international organizations, and the broader community to join us in demanding justice and systemic change. We must amplify the voices of women and girls, particularly those from marginalized communities, and work tirelessly to create a society where all individuals can live with dignity and security. We call on everyone to stand with all Kenyan women and girls in this fight, ensuring no woman lives in fear of violence or persecution. We send our sincere condolences to all affected and stand in solidarity with their families and Kenya at large. Zamara Foundation remains committed to advocating for the rights of all women and girls, building their agency, challenging harmful gender norms, and promoting protective and progressive policies. We call on everyone to stand with us, transform our society, and ensure such atrocities are never repeated, honoring the victims’ memories by demanding accountability, justice, and a safer future for all women and girls.
- We demand immediate government action, including the resignation of high-ranking officials implicated in these failures, such as the Inspector General of Police, and the establishment of a special investigative task force to handle cases of femicide and gender-based violence with full transparency and accountability.
- We call for legislative and policy reforms, advocating for the overhaul of the Kenya Police training curriculum to include comprehensive gender sensitivity and human rights training, and pushing for amendments to the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act to ensure stricter penalties and quicker judicial processes for offenders.
- Community-based interventions are essential. We urge the launch of awareness programs to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors, the establishment of safe spaces and shelters for women and girls at risk of violence with psychological and legal support services, increased funding and resources for organizations aiding survivors, and the development of a national hotline for reporting violence against women, ensuring immediate response and support.
We call on international human rights organizations, including UN Women, Kenya Governance, National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Kenya Human Rights Commission, and Amnesty Kenya, to support our fight against gender-based violence. Their involvement is crucial in applying pressure on the Kenyan government to uphold its human rights obligations and ensure justice for victims.
We must remember the human faces behind these statistics, such as Sara Njogu, thrown from a balcony in Kasarani, and Lucy, a sex worker brutally murdered in Bungoma. Their stories underscore the urgent need for action and justice. Join Zamara Foundation in using your voice, resources, and influence to end gender-based violence and build a Kenya that truly respects, protects, and values the lives of women and girls in all their diversities.