logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
11m 9s

Why is femicide on the rise in Kenya?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Demonstrations have been taking place across Kenya to protest femicide and violence against women. The demonstrations follow the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu and the dismemberment of student Rita Waeni earlier this month.

BBC Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba tells us about the cases and explains what changes are needed to protect women in Kenya. Esther Ogola, a BBC women’s affairs journalist based in Nairobi, describes how violence against women is rooted in social beliefs.

The two brutal murders have sparked a wave of activism. People are using the hashtags #StopKillingWomen and #EndFemicideKe and attending rallies across the country. Women who joined these marches tell us why it’s important to protest.

Among the many challenges women face is ‘the manosphere’, a dark corner of social media where it’s common to blame the victims of gender-based violence. Activist Onyango Otieno explains how he is trying to tackle toxic masculinity in Kenya.

This episode contains discussion about sexual assault and harassment. Details of organisations offering information and support with these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Imogen James and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Up next
Aug 22
ID please! Why the UK is checking your age online
In the UK, if you want to watch pornography or see content on sites like X, Reddit and Discord that is deemed only suitable for people over 18 years old, you now need to provide your identification to prove you are old enough to access this material. The UK government says its On ... Show More
11m 33s
Aug 21
Why fake weddings are India’s latest party trend
The big fat 'fake' Indian wedding is social media’s latest party trend. Fake wedding parties have taken the world and social media by storm with people getting together to enjoy all the fun of a wedding party: the food, Bollywood music, dancing and glamorous outfits. But there ar ... Show More
10m 5s
Aug 20
Why the world is divided on plastic pollution
Life is full of plastic, but it’s not always fantastic. We know that plastic is super useful: it helps keep food fresh and lets medicines, like vaccines, be delivered at scale to billions of people. But the world is drowning in it. In fact, the amount of plastic on our planet now ... Show More
11 m
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Is femicide a silent epidemic in Kenya?
20 year old Rita Waeni was brutally murdered and dismembered. Her remains were discovered in rubbish bags at a rental apartment in the capital, Nairobi this month. The news shocked Kenya and led to uproar both online and offline with many saying that the government isn’t doing en ... Show More
18m 32s
Jan 2024
Africa Insights: Toxic Masculinity Online in Kenya and South Africa
In the era of social media, women worldwide have harnessed its power to build strong feminist movements and activist networks to raise awareness about sexual harassment and violence. Social media has provided a platform for women to share their experiences and speak out against g ... Show More
29m 44s
Apr 2022
Why are many women harassed in newsrooms?
Warning: Please be advised that this episode contains open and frank discussions about topic listeners might find distressing. Across Africa’s newsrooms, sexual harassment appears to be rife. That’s according to research by Women in News - a media development programme. Half of a ... Show More
12m 43s
Dec 2022
What should justice look like for survivors of sexual violence?
This week a major conference organised by the UK government called The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative took place in London. Delegates, policy makers, politicians and survivors from around the world listened to discussions on justice, reparations, accountability ... Show More
21m 10s
Nov 2021
How are women uniting against gender based violence?
Gender based violence is a problem around the world. And Africa is no exception. For years, women across the continent have been raising their voices and demanding change. On Thursday, many of them will join women around the world for ’16 days of activism against gender based vio ... Show More
13m 35s
Sep 2022
Women fighting fake news
Fake news can have harmful consequences for those who believe it - but why are women often the target of disinformation campaigns? Kim Chakanetsa meets two experts to discuss how disinformation affect the lives of women around the world. Paulina Ibarra is the Executive Director o ... Show More
26m 27s
Jun 2024
What triggered the protests in Kenya?
Protesters stormed the Parliament of Kenya on Tuesday as gunshots rang out in the capital, and at least five people were killed. The violence erupted over a new bill to increase taxes. According to protesters, it could have a devastating effect on many Kenyans' lives. What ignite ... Show More
15m 44s
Sep 2021
Why are women harassed at work?
Across Africa’s newsrooms, sexual harassment appears to be rife. That’s according to research by Women in News - a media development programme. Half of all the women surveyed said they’d been harassed at work - and only a third had reported it. So, despite all the progress with t ... Show More
12m 13s
Jun 2022
Running from murder and abuse in Kenya
Kenya is famous for some of the fastest runners in the world, but recently, with the murder of Damaris Muthee Mutua and Agnes Tirop, that reputation’s been tarnished. Their partners are the main suspects in each case. Now, a fellow female athlete is trying to bring attention to g ... Show More
21m 40s
Jan 2022
Is a tragedy in Egypt changing women’s rights?
Basant Khaled was 17 when she is believed to have taken her own life. It’s alleged that private, digitally altered images of Basant were shared online. And that they were seen by fellow students. Her family say she wasn’t able to cope with people’s comments before her suicide. He ... Show More
14m 7s