Six murdered women and the loud silence of Nakuru female leaders

This year, Mtaa Wangu has covered six separate stories of women and girls who were brutally murdered in tragic scenarios.

Owing to these shocking deaths, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS) and Human Right Activists have come out to condemn these heinous acts of violence against women.

Ironically, the political leaders, majority of whom are women have been silently watching from the side lines, none saying a word about it.

You will remember that in the 2022 election, Nakuru made history in electing the highest number of women in the country which include the governor, senator, woman rep and four MPs.

It would therefore be expected that the leaders be at the forefront to speak against violence of women.

Ann Mwithaga during an interview with Mtaa Wangu notes, “It is sad that our female leaders have remained silent as women continue to be killed in this county.  They (the leaders) should come up with policies and laws that will help us combat these vices,” she says.

During the protest, the women present seemed to concur with the sentiments of Ann Mwithaga, agreeing that they are not seeing enough action being taken by their women leaders who they believed would be at the forefront of this fight.

Daisy Achieng', a resident, called upon the female leaders in the county to come up with policies  and action plans that will help in fighting femicide and gender based violence at large.

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The last time any of the leaders spoke publicly against violence on women was last year at the burial of Jasmine Njoki, a 12-year-old who was defiled and murdered in Gilgil.

Governor Susan Kihika raised the issue of the death penalty saying that it should be brought back to tame individuals who commit such atrocities.

Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari, who was also present challenged local chiefs against reverting to solving criminal cases out of court, as this derails justice.

As for this year, Mtaa Wangu could only find two general Facebook posts made by the Governor and Senator.

Both the Governor and Senator posted about violence on women following the public uproar caused by the case of Elias Njeru, a man accused of allegedly stabbing Florence Wanjiku, perhaps seeking to remain relevant by plugging into a national conversation.

On November 22, Governor Susan Kihika posted, “Such barbaric and inhumane behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. We are committed to building a society where everyone feels safe, respected, and protected” read part of the post.

Tabitha Karanja on November 23, on a Facebook post said, “As Nakuru Senator, I urge us all to take a firm stand against this epidemic of violence. We must work together to promote respect, dialogue and non-violence in our homes and communities. To the perpetrators, know that justice will prevail. This cycle of violence must end!” read part of the post.

As for the woman rep Liza Chelule, she only posted on November 20, about a meeting at Statehouse with the President alongside other women parliamentarians, where femicide was discussed.

However none said anything after the deaths of Eileen Cherotich, Vivian Kajaya, Alice Ayuma, Mueni Mwalimu, Vera Mugambi and Elsie Waithera.

Neither did they say anything when police arrested a man suspected to be the serial killer behind some of these murders.