Sakaja Vows to Protect Domestic Violence Victims After Bones Found at Lang’ata Cemetery
In response to the shocking rise in femicide cases across Kenya, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced plans to establish safe houses for victims of domestic violence. The initiative follows a grim discovery of a woman’s bones dumped at the entrance of Lang’ata Cemetery, a case that has stirred outrage both locally and online.
Speaking at the African Divine Church’s 73rd anniversary in Nairobi, Sakaja emphasized the urgent need to protect vulnerable women trapped in abusive relationships. “Recently, we discovered the bones of a female victim at Lang’ata Cemetery, and it is very disheartening,” he said. “It is time for us to take a stand. Together with Esther [Passaris], we are taking a stand to construct a safe house. If you are in a house and you are being abused, don’t stay there because tomorrow you may be murdered,” Sakaja urged.
The proposed safe houses, a collaboration with Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, aim to provide a haven for those at risk. Sakaja highlighted an existing safe house in Gigiri, funded through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), as a model for upcoming facilities.
Governor Sakaja also directed strong words towards perpetrators of violence, calling for an end to victim-blaming and highlighting the need for societal accountability. “Let us stop advising our ladies on who they should or shouldn’t meet, and instead focus on holding those committing these violent acts accountable. There is no justification for killing anyone,” he stressed.
Sakaja appealed to President William Ruto to allocate more state resources to combat femicide. He advocated for empowering the police force and strengthening surveillance efforts to help curb this rising violence. “Your Excellency, you are here. The women of Nairobi are crying, the women of our country are crying. Let us provide them with security, and let us also focus on improving our police and surveillance efforts,” he said.
This statement followed reports from Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who disclosed that the police had recorded 97 femicide cases in the last three months alone. The disturbing statistics underscore the urgency of Sakaja’s call for action.
The incident involving the remains found at Lang’ata Cemetery has amplified calls for immediate intervention, sparking an outcry across social media platforms as Kenyans demand justice and increased protection for women nationwide.
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Sakaja Vows to Protect Domestic Violence Victims After Bones Found at Lang’ata Cemetery
