Activists and human rights defenders in Machakos and Nakuru have protested the continued silence of clerics over the surge of violence against women in the country.

 The groups at the weekend highlighted the fact that despite a surge in the cases, religious leaders and national religious institutions have remained silent on the vice, only choosing to speak up on less prevalent issues such as homosexuality.

Rachael Mwikali, leader of the Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders said: “We are also marching to call out the hypocrisy of those who call themselves the ‘moral custodians’ of our country, but always choose to remain silent when members of our community are killed.”

Weighing in on the matter, Executive Director of the Nakuru-based Reproductive Health Champions Organisation Martin Lunalo,  said: “When was the last time some of us even interacted with an LGBTQ person? But the same people are willing to spend so much money and airtime to talk about this, but will not spend a single cent or release one statement when news headlines show young girls being killed by people they loved and trusted.”

According to a report by the Office of the Director of Public Services in 2022, a total of 10,442 sex-related and GBV cases were reported in 2021/22.