The President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Faith Odhiambo, has issued a sharp rebuke of the police’s heavy-handed response to a peaceful demonstration advocating for women’s rights, describing the violence as “incorrigible” and unacceptable. The demonstration, aimed at raising awareness of the femicide crisis and demanding government action, turned sour when law enforcement officers reportedly used excessive force to disperse the crowd.
“There is absolutely no justification for attacking, arresting, and interfering with harmless Kenyans agitating for the protection of women, especially when the threat of violence against women is, ostensibly, a national crisis,” Odhiambo declared in her scathing statement.
The protest, held earlier today in Nairobi, saw a cross-section of Kenyans unite to shine a spotlight on the alarming rise in gender-based violence. Banners, chants, and speeches delivered a clear message: femicide is a national emergency that demands immediate and sustained intervention from the government. However, the day’s peaceful energy was disrupted by what witnesses describe as unnecessary police aggression, an act that Odhiambo claims undermines the constitutional freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s democracy.
Odhiambo’s critique carried a dual message – a condemnation of police conduct and a call for authorities to refocus their efforts on combating the atrocities that plague women rather than suppressing peaceful calls for justice.
“We support ending femicide, and we support all the brave Kenyans who came out today to call for the overdue change,” she said. “Law enforcement’s role is to protect citizens, not to perpetuate violence. The police must stand with victims and allies in the fight against this crisis.”
Kenya is witnessing a disturbing surge in femicide and gender-based violence, with cases frequently dominating headlines. The protesters, representing diverse demographics, demanded systemic reforms, effective enforcement of laws, and accountability to safeguard women and girls across the nation.
Odhiambo’s firm stance not only echoes the frustrations of demonstrators but also highlights a larger societal issue: the persistent misuse of force by police during public protests. Human rights advocates and civil society groups have long criticized Kenya’s law enforcement agencies for their aggressive handling of peaceful assemblies, often to the detriment of public trust.
The incident has reignited national discussions about police accountability and the state’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence. Advocates argue that the growing femicide crisis can no longer be sidelined, and the government must act decisively to protect vulnerable women and ensure justice for victims.
As the dust settles on today’s demonstration, the significance of the protesters’ demands remains front and center. Faith Odhiambo’s powerful condemnation of the police’s actions serves as both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for change. With femicide threatening the fabric of Kenyan society, the nation now looks to its leaders for urgent and tangible solutions to end the violence and uphold the constitutional rights of all its citizens.
The spotlight is on the government to turn the outrage into action to stop the violence, end femicide, and ensure that voices raised in peace are never again silenced by force.