By Eliud Muriithi
Recent homicide data in Kenya paints a troubling but instructive picture. Men remain the majority of victims accounting for roughly 70 per cent of recorded cases in 2024, but beneath this headline statistic lies a far more disturbing trend: a sharp and sustained rise in femicide.
The killing of women, often at the hands of intimate partners, has ignited public outrage and prompted renewed scrutiny from institutions such as the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC).
In its assessment, the National Crime Research Centre observes that the apparent increase in homicide cases in 2024—spanning offences outlined in the Penal Code, Cap 63, and Laws of Kenya —heightened public anxiety and exposed the need for immediate and coordinated responses.
With more than 930 femicide cases recorded between 2016 and 2024—many involving killings by partners—Kenya is confronting a brutal manifestation of deep-rooted systemic problems. The sad reality is that this demon since not to disappear with increased published cases of homicide in the media in 2025 though I could not get reliable figures published by NCRC.
The official national crime reports for the full year 2025 are still being compiled. T As 2026 begins, media reports are already highlighting a rise in homicide cases across the country. The year 2026 has just began with many media reports depicting increased cases of homicide underscoring public safety concern.
The increase in femicide forces an uncomfortable reckoning with how Kenya addresses domestic and gender-based violence. Protective mechanisms remain fragile, reporting pathways uncertain, and enforcement inconsistent. When danger signals go unheeded, laws lose their power. Ultimately, this reflects a broader societal failure to value and protect women.
Kenya is facing a troubling surge in homicide cases, a grim reality that demands urgent national reflection and action. Behind every statistic is a life lost, a family shattered, and a community left grappling with fear and unanswered questions. The rise in violent deaths is not just a policing issue; it is a mirror reflecting deeper social, economic, and institutional challenges confronting the country.
From Nairobi’s informal settlements to remote rural villages, lethal violence is becoming an all-too-familiar feature of daily life. In urban areas, especially densely populated settlements, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, and social exclusion have heightened insecurity.
For many young people, limited opportunities have turned frustration into violence. In rural Kenya, killings tied to land disputes, domestic disagreements, and livestock theft point to unresolved tensions that have simmered for decades.
The most worrying aspect is the slow normalisation of lethal violence. As killings become commonplace news, there is a real risk that the public will grow indifferent. A society that grows comfortable with death undermines the principles of justice, accountability, and human dignity. Kenya’s moral compass is at the blink of being lost.
Law enforcement agencies carry a heavy responsibility in reversing this trend. While the police have made efforts to combat crime, challenges such as limited resources, delayed investigations, and public mistrust continue to undermine effectiveness. Strengthening investigative capacity, embracing intelligence-led policing, and restoring confidence through professionalism and accountability are essential steps.
However, policing alone cannot solve the problem. The roots of homicide in Kenya are deeply intertwined with socio-economic inequalities. Persistent unemployment, rising cost of living, family breakdowns, and untreated mental health and substance-use disorders all contribute to violent behaviour.
Addressing these drivers requires coordinated action across government, including social protection, education, youth empowerment, and accessible mental health services.
Every Kenyan has a role in reversing the tide of violence. Strengthening community policing, equipping local leaders, and fostering a culture where citizens report and challenge wrongdoing can rebuild trust and shared responsibility. Violence flourishes in silence; safety is nurtured when communities are active and alert.
The rise in homicides is a stark warning that Kenya cannot afford business as usual. Protecting the right to life is the most fundamental duty of any state. This moment calls for decisive leadership, honest dialogue, and sustained investment in both security and social development. Kenya’s future depends not only on economic growth, but on the safety, dignity, and lives of its people.
Eliud Muriithi, Director Commercial Services, KEMSA
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