Femicide: No safe places for women, girls, amid continuous gender killings in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – Investigations into the gruesome murder of Beth Muthoni, 44, a devout Christian on pilgrimage at the Thiririka Shrine, on the slopes of the lush Aberderes Mounts, near Mount Kenya, continues with no breakthrough in sight while a manhunt is underway in Kajiado for the suspected murderer of a 14-year-old girl, who is thought to have crossed the border into neighbouring Tanzania.
In the neighbouring Ngong Township, still within Kajiado County, in the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital, the discovery of two more bodies of school girls, Ashley Wairimu, 13, and Precious Nderema, 13, both schoolmates at Oloolua Primary School, still remains another unresolved murder mystery.
The Daily Nation newspaper, which reported the three murders, stated: “Their lifeless bodies were discovered in a water-filled quarry, their parents shattered and searching for answers, now believe they were victims of heinous crimes.”
Meanwhile, murder charges have been brought against Hashim Dagane, alias Hashim Khalif, a Somali-national, who is accused of the murder of four women in October 2024.
The court in Nairobi is expected to make a ruling on an application for bail for Dagane.
Experts cite the introduction of bail for murder cases as one of the reasons which has contributed to an increase in the number of murder cases, in addition, to the requirement of proof, “beyond reasonable doubt”.
Previously, convicted murderers were sentenced to death by hanging. However, the laws have been repealed, allowing death row convicts to serve life-sentences, which ends up in pardon over time.
Femicide, the murder of women, because of their gender has been on the rise.
It is the most extreme form of gender-based violence perpetrated by people known to the victims. In most cases, rape is often an element.
According to the Nation, a privately-owned daily newspaper, Police in Kajiado are pursuing a man who is suspected of having killed his 14-year old daughter in Isinet Town, within Kajiado.
Police said the suspect was believed to have fled into neighbouring Tanzania after strangling his daughter while the mother fled the attack.
Investigations into the murder of Muthoni is continuing. The incident occurred on 17 January 2025. Police said evidence suggest she was raped, teeth forcibly removed before she was beheaded. Police reports, according to the local newspapers, suggest Muthoni was a victim of a fall.
-0- PANA AO/RA 22Jan2025
