Nearly 200 women were murdered in Kenya last year, representing a 79% surge in gender-based violence (GBV) cases compared to 2023, according to a report by Silencing Women Project released on January 27.

The initiative, a collaboration between data analytics firm Odipo Dev and investigative media outlet Africa Uncensored, revealed that 2024 was “the deadliest year on record for Kenyan women,” lead researcher Patricia Andago said.

Nairobi recorded the highest number of killings, with 28 women murdered.

The findings highlighted that almost 70% of these murders were committed by intimate partners, with 61% occurring in private spaces, underscoring the dangers women face at home. The victims were predominantly young women aged 18-35, while 66% of perpetrators were men in the same age group.

High-profile cases, such as the brutal murder of Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei and the recent arrest of a man in Nairobi found with his wife’s dismembered remains, have amplified calls for urgent reforms.

The Silencing Women Project report reflects a worsening trend in Kenya’s GBV crisis, signalling systemic failures in protecting women from violence. These findings underscore the urgent need for stronger legal and policy frameworks to combat femicide and ensure justice, advocates says. 

Conviction rates in Kenya improved significantly in 2024, rising by 118% compared to the previous year, with the average sentence increasing to 23 years. However, the report noted that judicial processes remain sluggish, taking an average of four years per case. Additionally, incidents of sexual assault and hacking increased by 7% and 6%, respectively, indicating a rise in brutality.

As bne IntelliNews reported, in December 2024, Kenya declared GBV the nation’s top security threat after 100 women were killed. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi referred to the crisis as "the elephant in the room," noting that investigations into many cases are ongoing, with several still pending in court.

The Silencing Women Project, which has tracked 930 murders since 2016, aims to spotlight these alarming trends and push for impactful solutions. Felix Kiprono, head of media at Odipo Dev, stressed, “Women need to feel safe anywhere they are. Currently, they face the greatest danger at home.”