Rise in Kenya’s Femicide Cases “warrants urgent attention”, Let’s “act as our sister’s keeper”: Nairobi Archdiocese

He said that his government is committed to addressing the femicide menace and advocating for a collaborative approach, called upon various stakeholders “to do our part” in bringing up boys, who grow up into “morally upright men.”

“It is time for each of us, political leaders, and public officers, religious leaders, to do our part in raising boys into morally upright men who will never need to affirm their masculinity at the expense of women. But instead contribute to making our society just, safe, equal and inclusive,” President Ruto said.

In the statement that the ADN issued on November 21, Bishop Kamomoe recognizes the efforts on the part of the Kenyan government to guarantee the safety of women and girls and expresses the commitment of the Catholic Archdiocese headquartered in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, to collaborate with the country’s the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop says, “While we support the government in its efforts to address this menace, we, the Archdiocese of Nairobi, in collaboration with the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, call upon all Christians and people of goodwill to act as our sister's keeper.”

“Our society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Our sisters and mothers, who are among the most vulnerable, require our protection and deserve to feel safe rather than live in fear for their lives,” he says.

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For ADN, Bishop Kamomoe says, “Taking personal responsibility to be ‘my sister's keeper’ is a vital step in ensuring that the women around us – be they spouses, colleagues, family members, or friends – feel secure.”

He urges families and communities to take the lead in safeguarding women and girls and facilitating the realization of environments that reflect Christian values of love and respect.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry on April 6 says calls upon parents and guardians to prioritize the safety of their children especially during the Christmas holiday when they may spend more time unsupervised at home.

In the one-page statement addressed to Clergy, women and men Religious, and people of goodwill in ADN, Bishop Kamomoe advocates for vigilance and responsibility in reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

“Together, we can work to end gender-based violence and femicide in our society,” he says.

According to recent reports, Kenya has witnessed an increase in femicide, with 97 cases documented over a period of three months. The National Police Service (NPS) highlighted these figures as part of the agency's intensified response to rising gender-based violence in the country.

Kenya’s Deputy Inspector General of Police has reported that approximately 90 percent of the suspects in the reported cases have been arrested, and are awaiting trial.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.