Joy Bii*
Femicide is the gender-based killing of women – because they are women, regardless of motive or perpetrator status.[1] It is a growing crisis in Kenya, particularly within informal settlements. Young women, particularly in informal settlements are more so vulnerable. These areas face poverty, limited job opportunities, and systemic neglect.[2] This creates dangerous situations where youth, poverty, and gender-based violence overlap. This article examines the complex realities of girls and young women living in Kenya's informal settlements. It looks at how structural inequalities, economic dependence, and accepted violence contribute to the increase in femicide.
Youth, poverty, and femicide intersect to amplify the vulnerability of young women in informal settlements. Poverty denies individuals the ability to live with dignity and to enjoy their basic human rights fully.[3] It extends beyond mere lack of income, encompassing factors that limit access to essential resources and power necessary for a decent standard of living.[4] This often leads to destitution which is the most severe form of poverty where individuals are deprived of essential capabilities required to live with dignity.
Many women facing domestic violence find freedom nearly unattainable due to challenging socio-economic circumstances.[5] Poverty and limited access to social amenities affect women, often resulting in financial dependence on partners or families.[6] This economic reliance, combined with coercive control, weakened social support systems, and inflexible, low-wage jobs, creates significant barriers that trap survivors of intimate partner violence in abusive relationships.[7]
Social media trends in Kenya reveal a growing idealisation among young women of 'securing the bag', seeking financial stability through relationships with older, wealthy men.[8] This is often portrayed as playful or pragmatic amid economic hardship.[9] However, emerging reports indicate that such relationships can become exploitative, controlling and at times, fatally violent.[10] These situations end in femicide, especially when young women try to leave or stand up for themselves.[11]
Further, younger women are more likely to be victims of femicide, particularly after ending relationships.[12] This is due to heart-breaking patterns of extreme jealousy, controlling behaviours, and stalking, these traits frequently precede, intensify, and foreshadow further abuse and lethal violence. Additionally, it makes them stand out as risk factors for young women facing intimate partner violence.[13] Data indicates that women aged 18 to 35 constitute the largest demographic of femicide victims in Kenya, accounting for 59% of the cases.[14] This translates to more than half of the victims of femicide being youths.
The epidemic of violence against women in Kenya is deeply rooted in cultural and social structures that normalise aggression.[15] This is particular among marginalised youth in informal settlements, where violent behaviour becomes a means of survival, identity, and respect.[16] This acceptance and normalisation create conditions for violence, disproportionately endangering women due to entrenched gender inequalities, where men dominate and women are expected to submit.[17] As violence becomes socially accepted, especially in intimate relationships, women face repeated abuse.[18] The inadequacy of accountability mechanisms, and cultural tolerance of male aggression escalates this violence, often culminating in femicide.
The grim reality of femicide is reflected in the lived experiences of young women in informal settlements. According to Africa Data Hub, over the last two years, from January 2016 to December 2024, over 930 cases of female murders were reported. This revealed that in 77% of cases, the killings were committed by someone known to the victim, with 68% of perpetrators being current or former intimate partners.[19] Consider the story of Serah Nduge, a 20-year-old living in the Biafra slums, who was brutally stabbed to death by her alleged boyfriend.[20] These cases highlight how economic desperation and normalised violence create a vicious cycle, perpetuating femicide.
The Constitution of Kenya, expressly guarantees the right to life under Article 26(1). This right is fundamental and forms the cornerstone of all other rights. Article 21(1), further requires the state to safeguard individuals from the unlawful loss of life, whether caused by state agents or private individuals.[21] However, the alarming increase in femicide highlights a profound failure to protect this fundamental right. Law enforcement agencies have inadequate resources, training, and gender sensitivity to respond effectively to cases of gender-based violence, often leaving survivors unprotected.[22]
Moreover, health services meant to support victims are underfunded and largely inaccessible, particularly in informal settlements.[23] Education, which could serve as a powerful tool for empowerment, is often out of reach for many young girls due to poverty and the resultant high dropout rates.[24] Additionally, poor housing conditions intensify their vulnerability, as overcrowded and unsafe environments provide little to no protection from abuse. These systemic failures violate not only Kenya's constitutional commitments but also its obligations under international treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).[25] This leaves young women trapped in environments where violence thrives.
Despite these challenges, efforts to combat femicide and gender-based violence are making considerable progress. In January 2025, the government launched the Komesha Dhuluma initiative.[26] All female members of parliament from the National Assembly and the Senate actively led this campaign.[27] Each Member of Parliament is to implement the initiative at the constituency level through community sensitisation forums and public engagement, tailored to local needs. The initiative is Grounded in constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom from violence.[28] It operationalises national gender policy,[29] and international obligations under CEDAW.[30] Although the initiative's impact remains unmeasured, it highlights the critical need for independent monitoring and evaluation.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness, prevent violence, and promote accountability, demonstrating the government's commitment to protecting women's right to life, dignity, and security.[31] In addition, human rights organisations are also lobbying for the criminalisation of femicide distinctly from the umbrella of murder.[32] They also protect survivors' rights and ensure their access to vital services.[33] These initiatives signal a growing commitment to protecting women's rights to life, dignity, and security.
Recommendations
Kenya should also develop a strategic plan that addresses the issues of femicide and further establish a National Council on Gender-based violence and Femicide. This council may adopt South Africa's model, to supervise the full execution of a National Strategic Plan to abolish gender-based violence and femicide.[34] The council would be responsible for overseeing the allocation of funds to targeted policies and initiatives designed to address and eliminate gender-based violence and femicide.[35]
Additionally, the National and County government can focus on economic empowerment toward breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. Through vocational training, microfinancing, and entrepreneurial opportunities, which can empower women to achieve the financial autonomy needed to break free from abusive situations and assert control over their lives.[36]
In conclusion, the fight against femicide requires collective action to break the cycle of poverty and violence.[37] Meaningful change is possible if we support organisations leading these initiatives, amplify the voices of survivors, and advocate for policy reforms that address systemic failures in policing, healthcare, education, and housing. Eradicating femicide in Kenya requires confronting the interlocking structures of poverty, gender inequality, and impunity. Only through sustained political will, social awareness, and institutional accountability can the right to life and dignity be meaningfully realised for all women.
* The author is an LLB Candidate and an Editorial Trainee at Kabarak Law Review.
[1] Sylvia Walby, 'What is femicide? The United Nations and the measurement of progress in complex epistemic systems', 71(1) Sage publication (2022) 10–27.
[2] Ndavula John, Lungahi Esther, 'Gender-based violence in Nairobi informal settlements: Women Survivors' access to justice through SMS', 9(2) African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research (2024) 3.
[3] Poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 4 May 2001, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, para 7.
[4] Poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, para 8.
[5] Annabel Gregg, 'Domestic and intimate partner violence, femicide and poverty', NGO CWS New York, 17 July 2025.
[6] Gregg, 'Domestic and intimate partner violence, femicide and poverty'.
[7] Winfred Kagwiria, Japheth Lumadede, Benjamin Mugambi, 'Relationship between social dysfunction factors and Femicidec Cases among young women in Juja sub-County, Kenya', 14(10) International Journal of Latest technology in Engineering Management and Applied Science (2025) 198-205.
[8] Oyunga Pala, 'Slay queens, socialites and sponsors: The normalisation of transactional sex and sexual violence in Kenyan society', Thee elephant info, 1 November 2018.
[9] Pala, 'Slay queens, socialites and sponsors: The normalisation of transactional sex and sexual violence in Kenyan society'.
[10]Africa uncensored, 'Silencing women: Tracking and humanising femicide cases in Kenya', Africa data hub, 23 July 2025.
[11] Winfred Kagwiria, Japheth Lumadede, Benjamin Mugambi, 'Relationship between social dysfunction factors and Femicide cases among young women in Juja sub-County, Kenya', 198-205.
[12]Shulan Canman, Sara Skott, 'Youth intimate partner femicide: Identification of factors specific to femicide against adolescent and young adult victims', 39(7) Journal of Family Violence (2024) 2.
[13] Canman, Skott, 'Youth intimate partner femicide: Identification of factors specific to femicide against adolescent and young adult victims', 2.
[14] Africa uncensored, 'Silencing women: Tracking and humanising femicide cases in Kenya'.
[15] Yara Villaseñor, Kimberly Ann (Translator), 'Femicide: The face of a patriarchal capitalist society', Left Voice, 31 March 2023.
[16] NGEC communication, 'Femicide in Kenya: Unmasking the epidemic of violence against women', NGEC communication, 26 May 2025.
[17] UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 'Global Study on homicide: Gender-related killing of women and girls', UN, 23 July 2025, 29.
[18] Pala, 'Slay queens, socialites and sponsors: The normalisation of transactional sex and sexual violence in Kenyan society'.
[19] Africa uncensored, 'Silencing women: Tracking humanizing femicide cases in Kenya'.
[20] The star, 'Woman, 20, stabbed to death by alleged boyfriend in Biafra slums', The star, 29 January 2024.
[21] Constitution of Kenya (2010) Article 21(1).
[22] Edwin Nguku, 'Time to tame femicide in Kenya is now: LVCT Health calls for urgent action against femicide', LCVT health, 8 August 2024.
[23] Monica Akinyi Kay, Muthoni Mainah and Casper Masiga, ''Gender disparities in accessing psychosocial support services among survivors of Gender-Based violence in Kenya', 8(12) International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (2024) 590-593.
[24] Dudung Abdul Karim, Claudia Monique Pattiruhu, Jacky Chin 'The role of education in promoting gender equality in modern society', 2(4) Majority Science Journal (2024) 94–102.
[25] Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 18 December 1979, Resolution 34/180.
[26] Parliament of Kenya, 'Women legislators launch nationwide campaign against femicide, gender-based violence', Parliament of Kenya, 20 July 2025.
[27] Parliament of Kenya, 'Women legislators launch nationwide campaign against femicide, gender-based violence'.
[28] The constitution of Kenya (2010) Article 27.
[29] Sessional Paper No 2 of 2019 on the National Policy on Gender and Development.
[30] Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 18 December 1979, Resolution 34/180.
[31] Parliament of Kenya, 'Women legislators launch nationwide campaign against femicide, gender-based violence'.
[32] Nguku, 'Time to tame femicide in Kenya is now: LVCT health calls for urgent action against femicide'.
[33] Shola Lowal, 'Femicide in Kenya: What's causing an epidemic of violence against women?', Aljazeera, 27 January 2024.
[34] UN women 'Tackling femicide in South Africa through laws, policies, and better policing', UN women, 22 November 2024.
[35] UN women, 'Tackling femicide in South Africa through laws, policies, and better policing'.
[36]Grace Ndanu, 'Femicide in Kenya: A silent crisis', UAB institute for human rights blog, 14 March 2024.
[37] Nguku, 'Time to tame femicide in Kenya is now: LVCT health calls for urgent action against femicide'.
