Kenya's Silent Tragedy - a Woman Killed Every Two Days but Justice Is Nowhere in Sight

**Nairobi** - At a police station in Nairobi, families wait on an old bench. They hold fading photographs of lost sisters and daughters. Many look tired and sad, some holding back tears. This scene is common in Kenya, where a woman is killed every two days. Often, the killer is a husband, relative, or stranger.

According to Femicide Count Kenya, 160 women were murdered in 2024. In January alone, there were 39 reported cases. This means one woman was killed each day that month. Human rights groups believe the actual number is higher due to unreported cases.

For Irene Wanja, these numbers are not just statistics; they are personal pain. Her daughter Jane was killed under mysterious circumstances and dumped in a river. Jane was vibrant and dreamed of becoming a nurse. Now her future exists only as a dusty police file.

"She was murdered in cold blood," Wanja says while holding Jane's picture. "I have never recovered from this loss." She questions how many more mothers must mourn before change occurs.

Kenya has laws to protect women, like the Sexual Offenses Act and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act. However, implementation is weak due to lack of resources and corruption. Forensic support is limited, and gender-based violence units are underfunded.

Beatrice Njeri is a lawyer who represents victims' families. She sees suspects walk free due to "insufficient evidence." The police often do not prioritize these cases and tell families to be patient. But she believes justice delayed is justice denied.

Victims' families face another challenge: legal costs for representation. Many cannot afford lawyers while public prosecutors handle too many cases at once. Survivors of gender-based violence often feel pressured into silence by family or abusers.

With the legal system failing them, Kenyan women seek help from grassroots organizations. One refuge is run by Wangu Kanja, a survivor of violence herself. Her foundation provides emergency shelter and counseling for survivors.

The shelter's location remains secret for safety reasons. Inside, bunk beds offer temporary refuge for those without options. Volunteers provide food, medical aid, and emotional support daily.

"We receive distress calls every day," Kanja says sadly. "But we lack resources to help everyone." She believes women at risk need government-funded safe havens that currently do not exist in Kenya.

In 2024, Kenya had the highest femicide rate in the region with 160 deaths reported. Uganda had 127 cases while Tanzania recorded 102 incidents last year.

Human rights groups warn that lower numbers do not mean better safety for women elsewhere. In Uganda, many cases go unreported due to community resolutions discouraging legal action. In Tanzania, cultural norms can label murders as "domestic disputes," skewing statistics further.