Nairobi, Kenya- On the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign to end violence against women and girls, Nairobi became a battleground of injustice as teargas was used to disperse hundreds of feminists who were campaigning against femicide. What would have been a culmination of solidarity and hope turned into a camp of tears, fear, and resilience as fearless gender activists and feminists faced a violent police crackdown.
The feminist protesters blew whistles and chanted “Stop killing women” as they marched through the streets today. Their rally gained momentum however police repeatedly dispersed the crowds with tear gas and multiple arrests.
Among those arrested was Irungu Houghton, the incumbent executive director of Amnesty International Kenya. His detention sent shockwaves across human rights circles, drawing global attention to the events unfolding in Nairobi. Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya swiftly issued a joint statement condemning the police actions, describing them as a violation of fundamental rights and a move that sends a “chilling message” to peaceful protesters.
Esther Nyakiri, a feminist activist and board member of the African Center for Health, Climate, and Gender Justice (ACHCGA) was also part of the noble campaign. Speaking during the alternation, Nyakiri said, “It is heartbreaking that instead of supporting us, the police use violence to suppress our voices.
“Our fight is not just for women it is for the dignity and future of this nation, ” lauded Nyakiri while calling out for increased protection for women.
The demonstration aimed to amplify calls for gender justice, with slogans like “Our bodies are not battlegrounds” and “Justice for survivors now, ” reflecting the collective pain and unyielding resolve of the movement.
Notably, a 2022 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women highlighted a grim future for women and young girls. Africa has the second-highest rate of femicide in the world. The continent recorded an estimated 22,000 gender-related killings of women in that year alone, underscoring the severity of gender-based violence across the region.
The report further revealed that most victims of femicide were killed by their former or current partners. These deaths often represent the tragic culmination of ongoing gender-based violence, pointing to the pervasive danger many women face in their intimate relationships. As Kenyan feminists continue to fight for their rights, their well-being seems to also be threatened by police violence. Whether the government will respond to this heinous activity will only be told if change is instituted.