Civil rights defenders hold vigil for murdered colleague
By Roy.Lumbe, January 13, 2022
Civil rights defenders in Nakuru held a vigil to protest the murder of their colleague, Elizabeth Ibrahim Ekaru, in Isiolo on January 3.
They raised alarm over the rising execution of human rights defenders.
Ekaru was allegedly murdered by her neighbour over a land dispute. She was a women’s rights advocate, a peace champion and an environmental and land rights defender.
Maimuna Mwinyi from Women Human Rights Defenders said the barbaric murder brings to the fore the pervasive nature of patriarchy, systematic structures that work against women and girls.
She says Ekaru’s killing is a true testimony of the risks, challenges and threats that Women Human Rights Defenders continue to face in their line of work.
“Her death reminds us of the many femicide cases whose perpetrators are yet to be brought to book.
She noted that the aforementioned cases are classic examples of the price that women human rights defenders have to pay for protecting human rights, and advancing the social, economic, cultural and political rights.
Catherine Lagat, a human rights defender, called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to direct the office of the Director of Criminal Investigations to conduct robust probe and ensure Ekaru’s killer is brought to justice.