Human rights lobby groups and activities have raised alarm over a fresh surge in cases of femicide, GBV and forced dissapearances.

The lobby groups in Nakuru carried out a walk in the city to sensitise the public and demand justice for all the lives lost illegally.

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Through the walk dubbed March For lives, the lobby groups under the umbrella Reproductive Health Network condemned the rising cases of violence against women and children.

Health Champions Organisation (RHCO) Executive Director, Martin Lunalo, said the walk themed “Protecting Life, Health and Dignity for all was meant to create awareness on injustices in the country.

“We want people to know about the ongoing injustices due to a sluggish government that is taking too long to rethink and make decisions that favour the people,” he said.

He added that the walk was also aimed at calling the national and county government to action on the promises it made to the people, including ending extra-judicial killing and providing GBSV and better health services.

Lunalo noted the cases of abduction, forced disappearance and murder were still happening despite condemnation by human rights groups and churches.

He recounted the 2024 police shooting of the youth who were simply protesting against the 2023/2024 Finance Bill.

“It is very frustrating that the government only offered Sh38 million for the tens of youthful lives lost during the protests,” he regretted.

Lunalo said Sh38 million could never be enough for a life because many of those lives lost on the streets were young people who were breadwinners for their families.

“Most of the young people killed during the protest were young fathers who were fending for their extended families besides their young families. Who is going to take care of that need gap they left?” he posed.

The human rights activist also questioned the government on the 33 bodies and several body parts recently exhumed from Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho.

He termed the entire saga a gimmick to cover up a massacre in the name of disposing of unclaimed bodies.

“The figures were differing by a very big margin, while one authority claimed there were 14 unclaimed bodies buried, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) exhumed 33 bodies,” he said.

He questioned the Nakuru County Government Department of Health about the continued congestion at its maternity units.

Lunalo noted the county continued to record high mortality rates as women and children died due to poor maternal health services.

Melanie Otieno, a human rights defender in Nakuru, emphasised that feminicide should be taken seriously.

She opined that the multi-sectoral task force on GBV and Feminicide established by President William Ruto in January 2025 was lax in its approach.

“The task force’s main objective was to address the issues of femicide and GBV in the country, but to date, it has not taken its work seriously,” she said.

Otieno observed that the punishment for GBSV, which in most cases results in grievous harm or murder, was very lenient, thus the continued vice.