NAKURU, KENYA - A community in the Free Area, Kiratina neighbourhood of Nakuru City is in mourning following the death of a woman, identified only as Monica, who was allegedly killed by her husband on or around Friday, October 24, 2025. The incident, which reportedly occurred in the presence of the couple's young daughter, has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the pervasive issue of domestic violence in the region.

Neighbours discovered Monica's lifeless body in her home after her daughter alerted them. One neighbour recounted that she went to Monica's house to sort out an electricity token issue and found the door locked from the outside. Upon entering, she found the child, who told her her mother was inside. The neighbour found Monica unresponsive in her room with visible marks on her neck, suggesting she may have been strangled. "I called her several times, but she did not respond. I immediately got out and went to my neighbour... I told her to go check on Monica because she was not waking up and had something on her neck," the witness stated.

Nakuru County Police have been called to the scene, and an investigation is underway. The suspect, Monica's husband, has reportedly gone into hiding, and authorities are conducting a manhunt. Community members have appealed to the suspect to turn himself in. "Wherever the man is, please, we ask him to come out of hiding. It is a very painful experience. A little girl has been left behind," a witness said.

A National Crisis with Local Roots

This tragic event is not an isolated incident but part of a deeply concerning trend of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya, with Nakuru County identified as a significant hotspot. According to a May 2025 report from the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Nakuru, alongside Nairobi and Kiambu, is one of the counties most affected by rising femicide rates. The report disturbingly notes that women face a 75% likelihood of being murdered by someone they know, including spouses and family members.

Data from various sources paints a grim picture. A report from the National Police Service (NPS) in April 2025 revealed that at least 129 women were killed nationwide between January and March 2025 alone. The report also highlighted that 60% of femicide cases occur in the victim's home. In Nakuru specifically, 2022 data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicated that 31% of married women have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a partner.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Nakuru County government has launched initiatives to combat GBV. In March 2025, the county, in partnership with international bodies, launched a data management and information system to better track GBV cases. This followed the establishment of a GBV Recovery Centre at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, which has assisted over 3,000 survivors since 2021. However, underreporting remains a major challenge due to stigma and fear.

Calls for Justice and Systemic Change

Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for more decisive government action. In August 2024, following a series of brutal murders of women in Nakuru, FIDA-Kenya and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) issued a joint statement demanding increased police patrols, the formation of a special task force, and enhanced community policing to protect vulnerable individuals. Activists have urged the national government to declare femicide a national emergency to compel a coordinated, well-funded response.

The killing in Free Area underscores the urgent need for these systemic interventions. As the family of Monica seeks justice, her death serves as a painful reminder of the daily dangers women face in their own homes and the societal failure to adequately protect them. The investigation into her death continues. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.