Tensions Rise in Kenya: Police Fire Teargas at Protesters Condemning Femicide

An undetermined number of persons were arrested by Kenyan police on Tuesday after they fired tear gas canisters at hundreds of protesters opposing femicide or gender based violence in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

“Stop killing women!” was screamed by several hundred protesters the majority of whom were women as they blew whistles in Nairobi. Police officers frequently fired tear gas from moving cars to separate them before they regroup.  

Videos released on social media also show protests in the cities of Lodwar and Mombasa. Nairobi’s protesters were non violent and it was odd why the police had to step in. A request for comment from the national police spokesperson was not immediately answered. In a joint statement with three other organizations. Irungu Houghton, who is an executive director of Amnesty International Kenya was among those arrested.

“This protest was a courageous stand against the killing of women, a demand for urgency in investigating these murders and a call for perpetrators to be held accountable. The violent response by police is a direct attack on Kenya’s democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens” a statement mentioned.

As stated by the National Police Service, at least 97 women were murdered in Kenya between August and October in femicides which are intentional homicides committed with a gender related motive. According to data compiled by the Africa Data Hub there were at least 75 femicides in 2022 and 46 the year before however the police did not give information for the previous years. 

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The high rates of gender based violence in Kenya are largely caused by gender stereotypes and a lack of sufficient legal protections.The actions of Kenya’s police during anti government demonstrations in June and July resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people which have also drawn shame.  

Investigators were examining particular claims of misbehavior even though the authorities have generally backed the police action.