Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has fiercely condemned the alarming increase in femicide cases in Kenya, calling attention to the disturbing trend of men taking the lives of women they are romantically involved with. Her strong comments have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with women sharing personal stories of how they have suffered at the hands of men without resorting to violence in return.
A Heartbreaking Trend
Orwoba’s remarks came in response to the tragic and puzzling death of Sylvia Kemunto, a student from Multimedia University, who was reportedly murdered by her boyfriend and dumped in a water tank. The case has added fuel to the growing concern about the rising femicide cases in Kenya, highlighting how men often get away with these heinous acts while women bear the brunt of emotional and financial exploitation.
In a candid TikTok interview shared by @Docktus, Orwoba raised a crucial question: why are women, despite enduring severe emotional and financial losses at the hands of men, not retaliating in the same drastic manner? “How many of these men have ‘eaten’ our fare and we have not killed them? Who has told you these men are not eating fare? They are eating everything and taking our cars. You give a man your car to take it for service, and he goes and carries his lovers elsewhere. Are we killing them? We are not. They are just alive in this Nairobi hanging around,” Orwoba pointed out.
A Powerful Statement
Her comments resonated with many, especially women who have suffered silently in relationships where they have been taken advantage of. The senator’s passionate outburst highlighted the double standards in society, where men often escape the consequences of their actions. On social media, women shared their own painful experiences, from financial exploitation to emotional manipulation.
One user, @wangeci_, expressed: “True women have taken loans for men, bought land and cars for men, and women didn’t kill them. Nothing justifies murder.” Another commenter, @hanns, recounted, “Kuna mwingine alinikula 1.5 million anaitwa Felix Manyaga Mogaka na sijamuua. I trained myself to live without him.”
Orwoba’s strong words have not only shone a light on the financial and emotional exploitation women face, but also the societal norms that allow men to perpetuate violence against women without facing proper repercussions.
Government Action on Femicide
The issue of femicide has also caught the attention of President William Ruto, who condemned the growing violence against women in his State of the Nation address. Ruto acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expedite investigations into femicide cases.
In a step toward combating this crisis, the president announced a KSh 100 million allocation to fund anti-femicide campaigns. This initiative aims to educate women on the dangers they might face in toxic relationships and to raise awareness within society about the need to address femicide. He also called on parents and the church to instill values of responsibility and respect in men to prevent them from becoming perpetrators of violence.
Call for Change
As Gloria Orwoba continues to speak out against femicide, it is clear that more must be done to protect women from violent and harmful relationships. The alarming trend of femicide must be met with not only legal action but also a change in societal attitudes and behaviors. With the government’s increased involvement and public figures like Orwoba using their platforms to speak out, there is hope for meaningful change in addressing this pervasive issue.
Through collective effort, awareness, and intervention, Kenya can work toward reducing femicide and ensuring that women are protected from violence in all its forms.
