Free at last? Reflections on independence and the Fight Against femicide

 

Today, as Kenya commemorates its Independence Day, I find myself reflecting on what freedom really is, what it truly means. Independence was meant to symbolize liberation—a collective agreement to uphold the DIGNITY, SAFETY, and PROSPERITY of all citizens. Yet, for many women in our nation, the promise of freedom remains painfully unfulfilled. 😒

"Stop Killing Us"

These harrowing words echoed through the streets recently as women and men peacefully marched seeking justice for countless lives lost to femicide. instead of being met with understanding and protection, they were teargassed, beaten, and silenced by the very authorities sworn to safeguard their rights. 

How did we get here???

Kenya's Grim Reality

Femicide is a scourge that continues to rob us of sisters, daughters, mothers, and friends. The statistics are staggering, but behind each number is a life, a story, and a dream abruptly cut short. When women demand justice, they are not asking for the extraordinary—they are asking for the very foundation of humanity: the right to live without fear. 

But when peaceful advocacy is met with violence, it sends a chilling message: women are not safe anywhere—not in their homes, not in the streets, and not even in the presence of law enforcement. 


This Independence Day, we must collectively redefine freedom! Freedom is not just the absence of colonial rule; it is the absence of fear. Women deserve to live free from femicide, free from harassment, free from violence, and free from systemic oppression. 

To the leaders of our nation: listen to the cries of your people. Ensure that justice is not just a word but a practice. Address the systemic failures that embolden perpetrators of femicide and protect those who seek justice. 

To my fellow citizens: Let us not grow weary. Every voice, every step, and every peaceful protest brings us closer to a nation where everyone, regardless of gender, is free to thrive. 

To the women who marched: you are the heartbeat for this nation's hope. Your courage will not be forgotten. 

This Independence Day, let's not just celebrate the freedom won decades ago but recommit to the fight for the freedoms still denied. 

We Must Let Women Live. We Must Let Women Thrive. We Must Let Women Be Free.


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