LSK raises alarm over rising femicide and GBV, calls for urgent national action
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 14, 2026The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through its president, Charles Kanjama, has strongly expressed concern about the rising incidences of femicide, intimate partner violence, sexual violence and other gender-based violence throughout the country.
In a statement dated Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and posted on his X handle, LSK President Charles Kanjama has cautioned that the tragic loss of life of women and girls reported from various parts of Kenya is not an isolated case but a “deeply troubling and growing crisis” threatening the lives, dignity, safety and constitutional rights of women and girls.
“The recent tragic deaths of women and girls in different parts of Kenya are not isolated incidents. They reflect a deeply troubling and growing crisis that threatens the lives, dignity, safety and constitutional rights of women and girls,” Kanjama’s statement read in part.
Rising wave of violence against women
The wave of violence against women and girls has highlighted a systemic issue that needs to be urgently addressed at the national level, according to the Law Society. The body noted that each life that has been lost is a result of a lack of protection systems and accountability mechanisms that were supposed to protect citizens.
“LSK unequivocally condemns all forms of violence against women. Violence is never private; it is a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the values of our Constitution, including the rights to life, dignity, equality and security of the person,” the statement added.
The legal body called for immediate and concerted action by the national government, investigative bodies, the judiciary, Parliament, county governments and the community in general.
LSK asked stakeholders to increase efforts in preventing GBV, better survivor protection measures, accountability, and timely and effective access to justice for GBV survivors.
Commitment to justice and accountability
The society also opposed the normalisation of violence against women, saying that the death tolls that have been recorded due to violence against women cannot and must never be normalised.
The Law Society of Kenya also reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring ongoing cases, holding accountable and striving for justice for victims and affected families throughout the country through its Gender Committee.
Reports on Femicide and GBV
Over the last few months, public attention has been drawn to a notable escalation of cases of gender-based violence (GBV), including femicide. The incidents occur despite a progressive constitutional and legal framework that provides for gender equality and parity of treatment.
The country continues to grapple with weak implementation, low accountability, and entrenched patriarchal norms. Survivors encounter systemic and social barriers in accessing justice, protection, and recovery services.
The rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country, with increased killings of women and girls, invoked a nationwide outcry for action to end the menace. In addressing these concerns, the Head of State and Government established the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including femicide, vide Kenya Gazette Notice Number 109 of 10th January, 2025.
According to the report, statistics reveal a trend of grave concern where there were 53 cases recorded in 2022, which increased to 82 cases in 2023 and surged further to 127 in 2024. This represents a significant rise in reported cases over the past three years, with an increase rate of 20.2% from 2022 to 2023 and an alarming rise of 48.5% from 2023 to 2024. (Africa Data Hub). On the other hand, the National Police Service reported that there were 535 cases of femicide in 2023 and 578 cases in 2024