When the topic of femicide comes up, I always want to do a deep introspection as to where the issue emanates from a societal problem due to the new adaptive culture or it’s a case of mental health issues. Kenya as a country has had many reported cases of femicide especially from the beginning of the year 2024. Most of the victims are young university students who have been ruthlessly butchered in the popular Airbnb. The narrative has been taking the same trajectory whereby a young innocent lady meets a man on the internet and they decide to have their first blind date as a sleepover arrangement in an Airbnb. In most cases, these arrangements are made secretly between the two as none of their family members or friends are aware.
Listening to these sad reporting’s over the past few months which has become quite common breaks my heart. I often ask myself if it’s the society that is failing and what if each of the concerned stakeholders played their part, would it help to stem this ill. Are the parents failing in ensuring that they raise up their daughters and sons in the right way so as to ensure that matters femicide is alien in our society as was the case in the past. When did the rain start beating us? . Is it when parents became too busy for their children and failed in their God -given responsibility of effective parenting? Is it when matters mental health illness became so prevalent and our society became saturated by people wearing suits and heels and yet are sick and bleeding from their traumas. I tend to ask myself all these questions which I am not so sure who has the answers to them.
Most of the victims never see the tell-tale signs at the beginning. The perpetrator I believe usually has mastered to play the game by the book. Persuading a young lady who has falling prey to be careful would be a toll order. In order to avoid being judged harshly by either family or friends you will find that they meet with these strangers in secret.
A romantic date night out sadly ends with blood spills and body metered with the organs stuffed in a black litter polythene bag.
Good point. Indeed, it's good to question whether it's a matter of mental illness, neglectful parenting, or just society letting these perpetrators run scot free.