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.

No longer willing to live in fear, the feminist sisters painted a poignant portrait of loss Kenya has witnessed in the recent past. The girls and young women painstakingly remarked how femicide had etched a perennial fear in their daily lives. Their pain palpable, a collective for sisters brutally silenced by untimely death. Femicide, they cried, wasn’t just a statistic; it was a shadow cast upon their mental well-being, a constant threat that choked their dreams and stole their sense of safety.

Grief hung heavy in the air, but amidst the pain, a fire of resilience burned brightly. Nancy Barasa, a young feminist from Zamara Foundation, spoke for countless others when she declared, “My right to life is not a debate!” Her defiant words echoed across the room, igniting an unyielding demand for justice.

Joining the chorus of voices were Pauline Nabwire of Polycom and Bernice Dodoo from Ghana joined their voices to the symphony of advocacy. Dodoo passionately stated, “Women’s rights are human rights, and women’s lives deserve to be respected.” She further urged everyone to join in raising their voices and demanding justice, envisioning a society where a woman’s right to live is treated with the same reverence as a fundamental human right.

Accordingly, Sarah Ouma, from Slum Dwellers International Kenya, expressed her longing for a society where she is free to just be, emphasizing the need for a space where women can thrive without the looming threat of violence.

Finally, Esther Nyawira, FEMNET’s She Leads Pan African coordinator, issued an unapologetic call to action, stating, “We are unapologetic when we say stop killing women, stop killing girls. Lives have been lost but justice seems to be delayed.”

Nyawira urged policymakers to fulfil their promises and bring femicide perpetrators to justice, demanding tangible action to ensure the safety of girls and young women in Kenya.

These young voices, united in purpose, declared that the time for change is now. Their fight for justice has begun, and this rally is just the first step in their mission to guarantee a future where girls and young women can live without fear.

The aforementioned was in memory of Juliet Naeku, Florence Kaari, Sheila Jepkemboi, Beth Wanjiku, Elizabeth Kaara and in honor of the other femicide victims who have never given an opportunity to speak for themselves.