Civil society organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya and the ENDFemicideKE Movement, have issued an urgent call to the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage to submit a Cabinet memo focused on tackling femicide in Kenya. The deadline for this submission, set by President William Ruto, has recently expired, prompting these groups to express their concerns over the increasing rates of femicide in the country. In an open letter, they emphasized the importance of operationalizing the national emergency strategy to combat gender-based violence effectively.

The letter, which was signed by prominent figures within these organizations, highlighted the immediate need for government action in light of the alarming spike in femicide cases reported across Kenya. The groups urged that the Cabinet memo not only be a formality but an official commitment to prioritizing gender-based violence as a significant public issue requiring swift and effective measures. They emphasized that failure to act could lead to further loss of lives and deteriorate the public trust in the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Amid rising cases of gender-based violence, these civil organizations are aiming to hold the government accountable for previous promises made regarding gender equality and safety. They are advocating for a robust strategy that incorporates input from various stakeholders to ensure that measures taken are comprehensive and genuinely tackle the roots of femicide. The response from the government to this urgent call could set a precedent for how gender-based violence is addressed in the future, impacting the lives of many Kenyans.