Kenyan Police Use Teargas to Disperse Anti-Femicide Protesters in Nairobi

Kenyan police deploy teargas to break up a protest against femicide in Nairobi, as demonstrators demand justice for victims of gender-based violence.

In Nairobi on Monday, police in Kenya employed tear gas to break up a peaceful march that was held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Later, protesters criticized the response by security forces and emphasized what they claim to be insufficient action from the government.

Waithira Karanja, a resident of Nairobi, expressed the desire for accountability.

“The police are responsible for the deaths of women, and that’s why they oppose our protests against these killings. They should be protecting us,” she stated.

According to Kenyan police agencies, 97 femicide cases have been reported in different regions of the country over just the past three months. However, activists argue that numerous additional incidents likely remain unreported.

Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his strong disapproval of the concerning increase in femicide cases last week and called for united action to safeguard women against gender-based violence.

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At the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, social justice activist Happy Olal criticized the Kenyan government for insufficient action.

“He shouldn’t just claim there’s an issue with femicide; Ruto has a greater responsibility. He needs to provide us with the number of people arrested for femicide this year. How many have been apprehended?” he stated.

On Monday, the United Nations reported that 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed in 2023. Of these victims, 60 percent lost their lives at the hands of a partner or close relative.

Africa reported the largest number of cases, with approximately 21,700 victims out of a total of 51,100 killings perpetrated by an intimate partner or family member.

Additionally, it recorded the highest number of victims in relation to its population size—2.9 victims per 100,000 individuals.