Horrendous Femicide Cases in Kenya in 2024

Introduction

The rise of femicide cases in Kenya is alarming. It even more alarming that women are being murdered in broad daylight. Don't men have anything to lose nowadays? Just killing and throwing away the rest of their lives makes no sense. It's like we're living in a mentally exhausted and sick society. 

We are only in February 2024 and here are some of the cases that have been reported on femicide in Kenya.

1. Starlet Wahu

This was a Kenyan "socialite" who was found murdered in an Air B&B in Nairobi. Police reports say there was clear struggle between her and the perpetrator. She died as a result of excess bleeding. This girl was just 26 years while her life was cut short. The main suspect was arrested in a hospital. Hopefully she gets justice. 

2. Rita Waeni

This one should have shaken the nation but ignorance and probably the heat waves doesn't allow people to understand how disturbing it was. Rita was lured into an Air B&B and later murdered. Her body was cut into pieces and when police arrived at the crime scene, her head was not there. The government pathologist said he hadn't seen anything like it. It was very disturbing. The murderer had tried to scrap off her nails to get rid of any DNA left in there. The saddest part of Waeni's death was social media. While Kenyans were supposed to be condemning the killer, they blamed the girls for wanting quick money. Her death was very close by Starlet's  and it only made matters worse. 

Rita Waeni was 20 years old when her life was brutally taken from her.  May she find justice.

3. Juja Woman stabbed by Estranged Lover

This case has left me thinking it is time Kenyan society is divided into two. The women side and the men side. The two genders should not interact. 

This woman was stabbed in broad daylight and before anybody could offer help, she was already dead. She was visiting her friend where the guy followed her. He used a knife and a machete. Witnesses say he overpowered her very quickly and murdered her. He then tried to take his own life but the neighbors got to him. 

I hope we get this woman's name so we can say it. She was important, she was someone. We should say her name. May she find Justice.

4. Jacinta Ayuma

Jacinta did laundry for people as a means of livelihood. On 1st of February 2024, neighbors heard screaming the entire night until around 6 am. (Domestic violence is rampant. People don't bother most times because women still go back). Her neighbors expected her to be out by 7 a.m to look for work. When they knocked and she didn't come out, they called for help. When her house was opened, she was found lying on a thin mattress, covered and lifeless. According to Usikimye (a non governmental organization that fights again gender based violence) post mortem results showed she died due to strangulation.

Jacinta Ayuma we say your name. May you find justice.

5. Bridget Ochieng'

Bridget was a secondary school teacher and was referred to as the "Brijo the scientist" by her friends.  She was involved in a domestic quarrel with her boyfriend who then stabbed her and left her in a pool of blood. Neighbors who came to her rescue found her already dead but managed to catch her boyfriend and beat him up. He was later admitted to the hospital and Bridget's body was taken to the morgue.

Bridget we say your name. May you find justice.

6. Grace Wangari Thuiya

Grace was 24 years old and a mother of a 3 year old. She was involved in a domestic row with her boyfriend. When neighbors responded to her screams, he had already stabbed her severally. She was rushed to the hospital and didn't survive. 

Grace we do say your name. May you find justice.

Other women murdered this year include;

Say their names:

Sarah🥀 45 yrs ,was brutally murdered in Narok on 25th January

Esther Wambui🥀 60yrs was murdered and body dumped in a coffee plantation on 27th January

Peninah Wambui 🥀30yrs murdered by her husband after a domestic row 27th January

Unnamed 🥀20yr old whose body was found  mutilated and dumped in a forest.

Serah Ndunge 🥀20yrs was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in Biafra..

Conclusion

Being a woman in Kenya is a crime. You can't get dumped, you can't walk around, you can't raise your voice in fear of what will happen.

The fact that a few men stood and said they'd still murder women during the walk against femicide tells what kind of society we are living in. A sad depressed one that hates women.