Police in Kenya hurl teargas at protesters against gender-based violence
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On January 27, 2024, Kenyan women and feminists protest in the heart of Nairobi against the rising number of femicides.
On Tuesday, police in Kenya clashed with protesters in Nairobi who were rallying against gender-based violence and femicide, using tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protesters, who gathered in a public park to demand action against violence towards women, were chanting “Stop femicide” when police moved in, resulting in a tense standoff and running battles along the streets. Many protesters were injured, and an unknown number were arrested as the authorities attempted to control the demonstration.
One of the activists, Mwikali Mueni, shared her experience with The Associated Press, describing how she was injured in the neck by uniformed police officers during the protest. She expressed her disappointment, stating, “It is very sad that I was injured while championing for women not to be injured or killed. If the president is serious about ending femicide, let him start by taking action on the officers who have brutalized us today.” Mueni’s injury highlighted the deep frustration many activists feel about the lack of effective action against femicide and the harsh treatment of those who speak out against it.
Kenya has been grappling with a silent epidemic of gender-based violence, with alarming statistics pointing to a significant rise in femicide. In October, Kenyan police reported that 97 women had been killed since August, with the majority of these deaths attributed to domestic violence, often at the hands of male partners. The issue has sparked outrage, especially as many feel that the authorities are not doing enough to prevent these crimes or hold perpetrators accountable.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Kenyan President William Ruto pledged more than $700,000 in October to fund a campaign aimed at ending femicide. This came after a meeting with elected women leaders, where the president expressed his commitment to addressing the issue. However, despite these promises, many activists believe that the government’s actions have not matched the urgency required to tackle the widespread violence against women.
A U.N. report released in November highlighted the severity of the femicide problem in Africa, noting that the continent recorded the highest rate of partner-related femicide in 2023. This report came just ahead of the global 16-day campaign to eliminate violence against women, which also saw protests in Kenya. On November 25, during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, police used tear gas to disperse a small group of protesters braving harsh weather conditions in Nairobi. The violence against demonstrators further underscored the tension surrounding the issue of femicide in the country.
The crackdown on protesters on Tuesday, which coincided with Human Rights Day, has drawn heavy criticism from activists who argue that peaceful demonstrations should not be met with force. Mariam Chande, one of the protesters, expressed her outrage, saying, “Why are we being beaten and tear-gassed, yet we are peaceful? We will keep coming to the streets till the day women will stop being slaughtered like animals.” This sentiment was echoed by many who participated in the protest, as the brutal treatment of those standing up for women’s rights added fuel to the fire of public discontent.
Further fueling the anger of protesters is the apparent lack of justice in many femicide cases. One particularly disturbing incident involved the escape of a suspect from police custody, a man who had confessed to killing 42 women. The gruesome discovery of dismembered bodies, which had been dumped in a flooded quarry and stuffed into plastic sacks, raised questions about the competence of law enforcement and their ability to handle such grave crimes. Activists have expressed disbelief that such a suspect could escape from police custody, highlighting the failure of the justice system to adequately address femicide and protect women from violent acts.
One protester, who identified herself as Phoebe, shared her fear and frustration, saying, “It’s not fair that we can’t sleep well. You disappear, you come back in a sack.” Her words reflect the deep sense of insecurity that many women in Kenya feel, as femicide continues to claim the lives of women across the country. The lack of accountability and the continued violence have left many feeling helpless and desperate for change.
The police response to the protests, combined with the ongoing violence against women, has sparked a renewed call for action. Activists are demanding that the Kenyan government prioritize the safety of women and take decisive steps to combat femicide. They are urging authorities to address the underlying issues of gender-based violence, provide justice for the victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. Until then, the protests are expected to continue as women and their allies take to the streets to demand an end to the epidemic of femicide in Kenya.
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