Wakabura Decries Rising Femicide As Nakuru Cases Draw National Concern

By Suleiman Mbatiah

New data indicating that at least 220 women and girls were killed in Kenya in 2025 has cast a spotlight on Nakuru County, where a series of recent cases underscores a growing and deeply concerning pattern of gender-based violence.

Local reports and advocacy accounts point to multiple killings in Nakuru in recent months, with victims often attacked in domestic settings, raising concerns about safety within homes and the adequacy of early intervention systems.

Among the cases cited are Anita Mugweru, killed in an incident witnessed by her child, and Sheila Chebet, a student whose death sparked national outrage and renewed calls for urgent institutional response.

Nakuru politician Maina Wakabura also referenced Faith Otieno, known as Zuchu, whose death remains under investigation, alongside Monica, killed in her home, and Jackie, a security guard reportedly attacked by someone she trusted.

“These are not just names. They were daughters, sisters, mothers, friends who did not diserve the violence metted upon them,” said Wakabura, emphasizing the human toll behind the statistics.

Nationally, data indicates many victims were killed by individuals known to them, often after warning signs were overlooked, highlighting systemic gaps in prevention, reporting mechanisms, and coordinated responses across law enforcement and social services.

The philanthropist also urged authorities to accelerate investigations and prosecutions, warning that delayed justice compounds harm, while also calling for stronger policy frameworks to address violence before it escalates into fatal outcomes.

“To law enforcement: investigate swiftly, act decisively, and ensure perpetrators face justice without delay,” said Nakuru Town East parliamentary 2027 frontrunner, stressing accountability as a critical deterrent and a necessary step toward restoring public confidence in institutions.

Community responsibility featured prominently, with Maina Wakabura urging greater vigilance, active intervention, and stronger support systems for victims, while warning that cultural silence and normalization of abuse continue to sustain cycles of violence within households.

Wakabura said every woman has a right to life and described it as sacred, framing the crisis as both a public safety concern and a moral obligation requiring coordinated action from government, communities, and wider society.