The tragic murder of Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei in September 2024 has shone a spotlight on a troubling issue in Kenya: femicide and violence against women. The year 2024 saw nearly 100 women being brutally murdered by men, making it one of the deadliest years for Kenyan women in recent memory.
Despite this alarming trend, the government’s response has been lackluster at best. In January, William Ruto’s administration unveiled a 42-member task force to address gender-based violence, but many feminist activists are skeptical that it will have any real impact. In the absence of meaningful action from the authorities, some Kenyan women are taking matters into their own hands by enrolling in self-defence classes.
One such woman is security professor Awino Okech of SOAS University of London and director of the Feminist Centre for Racial Justice. Okech believes that empowering women to defend themselves is crucial in a society where violence against women is pervasive. She emphasizes the importance of changing mentalities and attitudes towards women in order to truly address the root causes of gender-based violence.
While self-defence classes may offer some women a sense of empowerment and protection, the underlying issue of misogyny and gender-based violence in Kenya requires a more comprehensive and systemic response. Feminist activists are calling for greater accountability from the government and a shift in societal norms that perpetuate violence against women.
As Kenya grapples with this silent epidemic of femicide, it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect women and ensure their safety. The voices of feminist activists like Awino Okech are crucial in pushing for meaningful change and holding the government accountable for addressing gender-based violence in a meaningful way.
