We are all not safe until women are safe
Rita Waeni, another young woman, was brutally dismembered, her body discarded like unwanted trash
Yesterday, a wave of protests erupted across major towns in Kenya, a tidal wave of women's voices rising in unison against the escalating epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence. The brutal murders of Starlet Wahu and Rita Waeni, two young women whose lives were senselessly extinguished in a short space of time, their deaths becoming chilling symbols of the ongoing violence against women in Kenya.
Starlet Wahu, a socialite and influencer, fell victim to a calculated act of savagery. She was lured into a short-term rental, a supposed haven that turned into a death trap. Surveillance footage captured her last moments, entering with a male companion who hours later emerged, his clothes stained with blood, his gait unsteady with a possible leg injury. Wahu was found lifeless, bearing the scars of a brutal assault – stab wounds and bite marks. The scene spoke of a struggle, a desperate fight for survival against an unseen monster.
Two weeks later, another tragedy unfolded. Rita Waeni, another young woman, was brutally dismembered, her body discarded like unwanted trash. Her killers went to gruesome lengths to hide their crime – severing her head, scattering her remains, and desperately trying to erase any trace of their heinous act. Witnesses reported seeing Rita enter a short-term rental with a man, a common thread tragically tying these two cases together.
The government pathologist's report painted a picture of unimaginable horror. The weapon used against Waeni was not just a knife, but a hacksaw, a tool meant for disassembling, for erasing her very existence. The attempt to clip her nails, to remove any trace of the perpetrator, speaks of a meticulous plan, a cold calculation that chills the soul.
16-The number of women murdered within 20 days on January 2024.
Other Victims
Since the murder of Starlet Wahu, more victims have shared painful experiences of the dreadful encounter with the killer who lured them into the room, test their HIV status before molesting them sexually, and threaten them.
"He was trying to strangle me so much; that is why he left scars on my neck," another victim of John Matara heinous acts has emerged.
She further narrated that "The guy seemed nice from when he picked me, all the way to the Airbnb. Everything was nice until midnight when he started to beat me and ask for money. He did bad things to me; he was using a knife and an iron box to threaten me to give him my phone passwords, M-Pesa PIN and accounts."
Milly Richards also gave an account of how her friend used to receive a lot of money from the same suspect. However, when they met, her encounter turned out horrendous.
"When she undressed, Matara immediately removed a knife and demanded nearly $400 from her. She got lucky because at knifepoint, she managed to raise that amount and gave the money to him."
Women Murders (2016-2023)
The wave of protests that swept across Kenya yesterday is a testament to the collective will of a nation refusing to accept this grim reality. It is a call to action, a demand for justice, a plea for a future where women are safe, where their lives are not commodities to be discarded, where their voices are heard and their bodies are not battlegrounds.
They are demanding justice for Wahu, for Waeni, and for all the countless women who have been lost to this senseless violence. They are demanding change, and they will not rest until their voices are heard, until their homes are safe havens, and until the streets of Kenya are free from the shadow of fear.
Femicide is a pervasive and deeply rooted issue. While the official statistics may paint a grim picture, the harrowing truth revealed by a meticulous examination of over 500 cases from January 2016 to December 2023 by the Africa Data Hub paints a far darker one.
These cases, far from being isolated incidents, expose a disturbing pattern: a continuum of gender-based violence that culminates in the ultimate tragedy. The chilling finding by Africa Data Hub, that most femicide victims endured domestic abuse from their partners before their brutal murders, echoes the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's assertion that intimate partner killings are rarely spontaneous, but rather the culmination of a cycle of ignored and underreported violence.
Who kills women?
As per the Africa Data Hub, intimate partners -from boyfriends, husbands, friends, ex-husbands, and ex-boyfriends- are complicit in the killing of women as shown in the graph. Most women murdered are known to the suspects, representing 75%. However, only 15% who commit women killings are strangers or had no prior relations with the victims.
The home, traditionally a haven of safety, becomes a terrifying battleground for Kenyan women. Around 80% of these femicides occur within the very walls that should offer sanctuary. This betrayal of the very essence of home speaks volumes about the societal and cultural factors that enable and perpetuate such violence.
The roots of this epidemic run deep, intertwined with issues like gender inequality, patriarchal norms, and inadequate legal and social support systems for victims. The silence surrounding domestic violence, coupled with the cultural acceptance of some forms of abuse, creates an environment where perpetrators feel emboldened and women are left vulnerable.
Insufficient Formal Support
A shockingly low number of women who experience violence seek help - less than 40%. Even among those who do, most turn to informal networks -friends and family-, with very few utilizing formal support systems like police or healthcare. This suggests significant barriers to accessing help, leaving many women isolated and vulnerable. However, the low use of formal services raises concerns about accessibility and trust.
Thorough analysis of legal proceedings by the Africa Data Hub reveals a concerning trend: on average, it takes a staggering 1,900 days -over 5 years- for a case to reach a conclusion and sentence the suspect after their arrest. This timeframe doesn't even include the potential for appeals, which can significantly lengthen the process even further.
What can be done
Addressing this crisis demands a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, acknowledging the pervasiveness and systemic nature of the problem is crucial. Silence and stigma must be broken. Openly discussing and denouncing femicide is essential to raising awareness and fostering a collective sense of responsibility. So far, Femicide Count is a non-profit organization in Kenya that was established in 2019 to report cases of women killed and build the capacity among women in their homes.
Secondly, strengthening legal and social support systems for victims is imperative. This includes ensuring swift and effective prosecution of perpetrators, readily accessible shelters and counseling services for survivors, and comprehensive education programs that promote gender equality and challenge harmful traditional norms.
Finally, fostering a culture of respect and accountability within communities is essential. Bystander intervention, community policing initiatives, and empowering women to speak out against abuse can create a safer environment for all.
If women are not safe around us, men, who will protect them?
I am against any form of violence on women; it is horrendous, barbaric, and ungodly.
Although this is not helpful, Edwin, brutalizing women is not unique to Kenya or even Africa. Among my many careers, I was a Welfare worker, both an Eligibility Worker and an Employment and Training Counselor. Some of my clients were 'victims of domestic violence'. I would help them get medical treatment, find housing for them and their children and keep in constant contact withe them. Sometimes we'd get the abuser sent to jail.n But all too often the women would return to the abuser. They seemed to have the mindset that they deserved the abuse. They willingly listened and believed the abusers promises. I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. I make no claim to understanding the family dynamic that leads certain women into these abusive relationships. But I do know, it is not exclusively the problem with the men. To have any lasting success you have to get the female into counseling as well to make her whole and unwilling to be abused.
There is much I want to say in response to this, but right now I am too sad and horrified to know what to say, except, thanks for bringing this to light, and thanks for your huge heart and compassion, your courage, and your fine mind. Every time I read about happenings like this and the police either ignoring or colluding in the problem, I feel heartbroken and afraid for women and girls and for all targets of such vicious hatred.