Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has spoken out against the alarming increase in femicide cases in the country, urging citizens to unite against this disturbing trend.
Through his social media pages, while Quoting verses from the Bible, Owino noted the importance of mutual dependence between men and women.
"Let's say no to femicide," Owino declared.
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He referenced 1 Corinthians 11-12, stating, "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God."
"Men depend on women even as women depend on men. That is not just true about birth. It is also true about almost every part of human society. God intended that men should use their authority with an attitude of love," he stated.
Women protest surge in femicide cases
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, a group of women in Nyeri took to the streets of Nyeri town in a peaceful demonstration to express their concern about the recent gruesome killings of young women occurring nationwide.
Brandishing twigs and placards, these women called upon the government to implement measures aimed at enhancing security in lodgings and short-term accommodation facilities. Their objective is to curb the alarming cases of femicide that have been prevalent in the country.
Wangechi Njithi, a member of the county assembly (MCA) representing the Gatitu/Muruguru ward, led the group of lawmakers who stated that women need to be made aware of the risks associated with utilizing social media platforms to find love.
"We are saddened by the increased killings of our young girls in the lodgings and the Airbnbs. We are urging the government to ensure those who offer accommodation services have enhanced security to prevent the unfortunate killings," she said.
Adding;
"Our girls should know that it is not safe to look for their partners on social sites. They should exercise caution when meeting with strangers because we are tired of educating our girls only to be taken home in caskets. It is very painful for the parents."
Raila condemns femicide in Kenya
On Wednesday, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga also condemned the surge in femicides in the country, noting that normalizing such murders is unacceptable.
In a statement posted on his X account, the opposition leader labelled this distressing trend as a national emergency and a scourge that urgently needs to be stopped.
"It is sad to see a troubling increase in the deaths of young women, leaving a trail of grief for families and friends. The abnormality of these murders cannot become the new normal. Murder is and will always be wrong, and there is no excuse. The ugly scourge of murder of women is now a national emergency. It is a threat to homeland security. It must come to an end," Raila declared.
Nationwide sentiments against femicide have surged amid outrage following the killings of at least three women in Nairobi and Kilifi counties.
