Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has addressed the growing concern over the recent surge in murders of women across the country, asserting that the crisis is not political but a broader societal issue.
Her statement comes in response to criticism on social media, where some users accused leaders of remaining silent in the face of escalating violence against women.
On Sunday, October 27, 2024, Passaris responded to one X user who had suggested that her lack of vocal condemnation reflected complicity in the crimes.
“It is very shocking that no leader has come forward to criticise the daily murders of women & demand justice. This says a lot about their complicit in these murders, especially @KindikiKithure & @EstherPassaris,” the X user had tweeted.
In response, Passaris condemned the baseless criticism, urging the user to consider the societal roots of gender-based violence rather than attributing it to political failures.
“Shocking how bashing your leaders is the only way you become relevant even if it means adding anguish to aggrieved families and women living in fear. I assume you are a man. Use your platform to educate men on how to seek help and not resort to murder most gruesome,” Passaris stated.
Emphasizing that the violence reflects deep-seated societal issues, Passaris called for collective action to protect each other, not blame games. She reiterated that lives have been lost and encouraged individuals to reflect on how each person can contribute to stopping gender-based violence.
Passaris highlighted the need for immediate interventions, calling on both governmental and civil society organizations to increase vigilance and establish effective structures that can prevent future cases.
“May society become more vigilant as government and civil society organizations put more structures to arrest and stop the next perpetrator from giving us another victim,” she stated.
Passaris urged Kenyans to shift the conversation towards meaningful solutions, such as supporting men in finding healthy coping mechanisms instead of turning to violence.
A young woman was also recently strangled in her friend’s house in Thika.
Another case involved a Mombasa taxi driver found dead in Nakuru after going missing.
Many of these cases have been linked to close acquaintances or intimate partners, which activists argue points to deeply rooted issues of gender-based violence and inadequate legal protections for women.
These killings have sparked protests, with activists calling for urgent reforms in Kenya’s judicial processes to expedite cases and ensure that perpetrators face justice.
