97 femicide cases reported in last three months, police say

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. [NPS, Facebook]

At least 97 femicide cases were reported in the last three months, with suspects arrested in 90 percent of those cases, according to the National Police Service (NPS).

The NPS has described the rising femicide cases in the country as alarming and pledged to pursue all reported cases to completion.

In a statement, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat acknowledged a disturbing increase in murder and manslaughter cases over the past two years.

"In the last three months alone, the country has reported 97 femicide cases. This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for coordinated action and collaboration to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence," Lagat said.

Police have promised to thoroughly investigate all femicide cases to ensure justice for victims and their families.

The statement follows public outcry from human rights organisations and advocacy groups over awave of rising femicide cases, including the murders of Starlet Wahu and Rita Waeni, and the death of Yvonne Jirangwa, a 23-year-old trainee nun whose body was discovered in a sewer pit in Rongo.

Additionally, the remains of six women were found dumped in Kware, Embakasi.

Authorities are still pursuing the primary suspect in the Kware murders, Collins Jumaisi, who has been at large for two months after escaping police custody.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has offered a cash reward for information leading to the re-arrest of the 33-year-old.

Police are now for a collective effort to eradicate femicide and protect lives nationwide.