‘Wakitaka votes wanatununulia adi leso na mandazi’ – Mammito slams politicians over their silence amid rising femicide cases

By , K24 Digital
On Sun, 28 Jan, 2024 17:13 | 2 mins read
Kenyan comedienne Mammito Eunice. PHOTO/Mammito(@mammitoeunice)/Instagram
A photo collage of Kenyan comedienne Mammito Eunice. PHOTO/Mammito(@mammitoeunice)/Instagram

Comedienne Mammito Eunice has aimed at Kenyan politicians for their lack of proactivity in addressing the ongoing march against femicide across the country.

Mammito expressed her disappointment, noting the contrast between politicians' enthusiastic pursuit of votes and their indifference to implementing meaningful change.

Speaking to a local news outlet, the comedienne said citizens need leaders who implement policies that protect them.

Mammito challenged politicians to prioritize the safety of citizens over mere political posturing.

"It's such a shame when they want votes from us, they come hadi wanatubaia leso zenye hatutaki. Sai tukisema kitu tunataka, hawataki kusaidia. Wakitaka votes, wanakuja wanatubaia adi mandazi. Sisi hatutaki mandazi, tunataka mabadiliko kwa community. We want leaders to implement change that protects us. Tukiuliwa apa mmekaa apo mnakunywa chai. Hatutaki leso, we want women to be protected," Mammito declared.

The comedienne's sentiments underscore the frustration felt by many following the increase in femicide cases in Kenya recently.

Femicide protests in Kenya

Nationwide peaceful protests took place as women and men united against the alarming rise in femicide in the country.

Demonstrators, carrying diverse placards, passionately urged security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute perpetrators.

Chanting slogans like "Teach your son! Sisi ni watu sio wanyama" (We are humans, not animals), the protests spanned various cities, starting from Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi and extending to the Central Business District (CBD).

Similar marches occurred in Kisumu, Isiolo, and Nyeri on different days.

Prominent leaders, including Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and her Kisumu counterpart Ruth Odinga, actively participated in the protests.

Passaris, addressing the crowd, emphasized the need for the judiciary to expedite cases and incarcerate criminals.

She stressed that addressing the root causes of violence required collective societal efforts beyond the scope of women representatives.

Leaders such as Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru used their media platforms to denounce the recent spate of killings.

The protests were prompted by a series of gruesome femicides, including the brutal murder of Rita Waeni, who was strangled and dismembered.

Other victims included Starlet Wahu (26), Harriet Moraa (19), Stella Adongo (21), and several others. The demonstrations served as a collective plea for urgent action and justice to curb the disturbing trend of femicide in the country.