Kiambu Among Top Counties in Alarming Surge of Femicide Cases

At least 129 women have been killed across Kenya between January and March 2025, with Kiambu emerging as the second deadliest county, recording 17 femicide cases during the period. This disturbing trend places the county just behind Nairobi, which leads with 19 cases, and ahead of Kilifi (16) and Trans Nzoia (13), according to a joint report by the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC).

The highest number of killings occurred in March (44 deaths), followed by January (43) and February (42). Alarmingly, men were responsible for 85 per cent of the killings, while women committed 10 per cent. The perpetrators in 5 per cent of the cases remain unidentified.

While some counties such as West Pokot and Nandi reported only female victims in all homicides during this period, Kiambu’s high tally contributes significantly to concerns about increased gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the Central region. Notably, the region also had 19 cases of female-perpetrated murders, indicating a broader pattern of interpersonal violence.

During a high-level forum by the Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide, stakeholders including the police and legal experts raised the alarm over the rising cases and urged urgent structural and systemic reforms.

Judy Lamet, the Director of Community Policing, Gender and Child Protection at NPS, called for the establishment and strengthening of GBV and child protection units in all police stations, including those in Kiambu. She emphasized trauma-informed care and proper crime scene management training for officers to ensure survivors receive justice and support.

The NPS also proposed the digitisation of P3 and post-rape care forms to streamline reporting and improve the collection of crucial evidence in sensitive cases. Another key proposal is posting police officers at Level 4 hospitals to ensure survivors can access immediate help.

Amos Omuga, Head of Legal at NPS, advocated for the creation of gender justice courts in every county, including Kiambu, to fast-track GBV and femicide cases. He noted that while Kenya has adequate laws, enforcement failures remain a significant barrier to justice.

NCRC Director Dr. Mutuma Ruteere revealed that Rift Valley recorded the highest number of femicide cases (66), followed by Eastern (51) and Western (42). The lowest was in North Eastern, with only eight cases.

Dr. Ruteere’s analysis showed that domestic violence was the leading motive, accounting for 50 per cent of the killings, followed by unknown causes (30 per cent), witchcraft accusations (5–10 per cent), and land disputes (5 per cent). In most cases, the killers were known to the victims—60 per cent were family members, 25 per cent intimate partners, 10 per cent strangers, and 5 per cent neighbours.

To improve data collection and coordination, NCRC has recommended the creation of an integrated data system that can be accessed by all stakeholders involved in combating SGBV and femicide.

As Kiambu ranks among the top counties affected by this surge in femicide, local leaders, law enforcement, and community members are being urged to act swiftly to stem the tide of violence against women and ensure justice, safety, and support for all survivors.