“Today, we join the women, girls and children of Kenya to condemn the continued rise in the killings of women and disappearance of children. The statistics are grim. According to Odipodev, 3 women are killed every day and on average, Government of Kenya statistics show that 1 child goes missing per hour. These are not a series of isolated incidents. The trends point to a national security crisis and concern. These figures further illustrate a profound failure of protection. We are calling on the Government of Kenya to immediately declare femicide and the disappearance of children a National security concern and commit the resources, leadership and urgency required to end this crisis. The country has had enough reports, enough taskforces and enough promises. What is needed now is action. Every delayed response costs lives. The safety of women and children is not a special interest issue; it is a national security priority and a measure of whether our country truly values human life, dignity and justice. As we mark Madaraka Day today, let us remember that our freedom cannot be complete until all the women, girls and children of these country are free from violence in all its forms and manifestations”.
— George Morara, Executive Director, Amnesty International Kenya
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