Nairobi, Kenya - December 10, 2024 Tensions ran high in Nairobi’s Central Business District today as protesters rallied against the alarming rise in femicide cases across the country. The demonstration was marked by clashes with police, with tear gas deployed to disperse the crowd, further intensifying the outcry for justice. The protest follows a grim report by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who disclosed that 97 women were killed in femicide cases over the past 90 days, with 150 more fatalities recorded throughout 2023. Mwaura condemned the violence and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence, highlighting Kenya’s adherence to international human rights conventions. Despite the government’s assurances, frustrations boiled over among protesters who felt that little has been done to protect women or prevent further deaths. Demonstrators carrying placards and banners marched through the CBD, calling for swift and decisive action. Reports of arrests and rough treatment of protesters sparked outrage online, with many condemning the excessive use of force. The protest also comes against the backdrop of a damning CIVICUS report, which recently downgraded Kenya’s civic freedom rating from “obstructed” to “repressed.” The report highlighted widespread police brutality, including the deaths of 60 unarmed protesters during earlier demonstrations this year.