Police in Kenya clashed with protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday as hundreds gathered to demonstrate against gender-based violence, specifically femicide. The protesters, chanting “Stop femicide,” were met with teargas canisters and arrests by the police. The confrontation led to injuries among the protesters, with one activist reporting a neck injury sustained during the altercation.
Kenya has been grappling with a significant issue of gender-based violence, with police reporting 97 women killed since August, mostly by their male partners. In response to the escalating crisis, President William Ruto recently allocated over $700,000 towards a campaign to combat femicide after meeting with elected women leaders.
A U.N. report released in November highlighted Africa as having the highest rate of partner-related femicide in 2023. This alarming statistic has spurred a series of protests in Kenya, including the recent demonstration on Human Rights Day, where activists were met with forceful police intervention.
Activists have criticized the police crackdown on peaceful protesters, questioning the handling of femicide cases and expressing frustration over the escape of a suspect who confessed to killing multiple women. The ongoing protests aim to draw attention to the urgent need for action to prevent further violence against women in Kenya.
