LSK Declares Femicide A National Crisis, Demands Urgent State Intervention

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a powerful call for national action following a horrifying spike in femicide cases across the country. LSK President Charles Kanjama warned that the rising tide of violence against women and girls has reached a breaking point, necessitating an immediate, coordinated response from all state agencies and the public.

In a formal statement, Kanjama emphasized that these killings are not isolated tragedies but part of a disturbing and dangerous trend of brutality that threatens the fundamental constitutional rights of women in both private and public spaces.

A Catalog of Tragedy

The LSK highlighted several recent cases that have shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage. Among them is the case of Alice Riang’a, a 20-year-old student at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, whose body was discovered in a thicket in Bondo on May 10, 2026, with postmortem results indicating sexual assault and blunt force trauma.

The Society also noted the death of Krystabel “Bella” Anyango, whose passing followed a violent struggle linked to a troubled relationship, as confirmed by an autopsy showing defensive wounds and fatal head trauma. Other victims include Consolata Githinji and Davine Kwamboka, both victims of suspected intimate partner violence currently under investigation, and Anita from Nakuru, who died following an alleged domestic assault. These cases reveal a crisis fueled by the normalization of violence and a failure to act on early warning signs.

“Not a Private Matter”

The LSK firmly rejected the notion that gender-based violence (GBV) is a domestic issue, instead defining it as a gross violation of the rights to life, dignity, and security as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya. President Kanjama stated that behind every reported case is a life lost and a family devastated, adding that persistent impunity and delayed interventions continue to fuel the cycle of violence.

Demands for Accountability and Reform

To combat this escalation, the LSK has outlined a multi-agency roadmap for justice. The National Government has been urged to officially declare femicide a national crisis and launch a coordinated intervention. Simultaneously, police and investigative agencies are called upon to conduct transparent and victim-sensitive investigations to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

The LSK also urged the Judiciary and the ODPP to fast-track GBV and femicide cases to avoid the phenomenon of justice being delayed. Furthermore, the Legislature and County Governments have been asked to strengthen survivor protection laws, increase funding for shelters, and expand access to legal aid and psychosocial support services.

LSK’s Commitment to Justice

Moving forward, the LSK’s Gender Committee will monitor ongoing cases across the country. The Society is currently appointing advocates to watch brief during legal proceedings, ensuring that investigations remain thorough and that justice is ultimately served for the victims and their families. The statement concluded with a challenge to religious leaders, educational institutions, and families to confront the harmful cultural attitudes that allow such violence to persist.