Demonstrators demand justice amid rising concerns over violence against women and unexplained child disappearances.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga joined hundreds of protesters in Nairobi on Monday as calls intensified for urgent action against femicide and the growing number of missing children cases reported across Kenya.
The demonstration, held in Nairobi's Central Business District, brought together women's rights activists, human rights defenders, families of victims, and ordinary citizens demanding justice for women and children whose lives have been lost or remain unaccounted for.
Participants carried placards reading "Stop Killing Women", "Femicide Is An Emergency," and "Protect Our Children", as they marched through the city before holding a peaceful sit-in.
Maraga was among the prominent figures who joined the gathering, sitting alongside protesters and lending his support to calls for stronger measures to address gender-based violence and child protection concerns.
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"Every life matters. We cannot normalise the loss of women and children."
A Crisis That Continues to Claim Lives
The protest comes against the backdrop of increasing concern over femicide cases reported in different parts of the country.
Several high-profile killings of women in recent months have sparked public anger and renewed scrutiny of how authorities investigate gender-based violence. Rights groups say many families are still waiting for justice as cases move slowly through the criminal justice system.
According to activists, dozens of women have been killed since the beginning of the year, with many cases involving intimate partners or individuals known to the victims.
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has repeatedly raised concerns about the scale of gender-based violence. The organisation says it receives approximately 70 gender-based violence cases every week through its offices across the country, highlighting the continued vulnerability faced by many women and girls.
"The numbers tell a troubling story. Behind every statistic is a family seeking answers and justice."
Missing Children Add to Public Anxiety
Alongside concerns over femicide, demonstrators also highlighted reports of missing children that have fuelled anxiety among parents and communities.
In recent months, social media platforms have increasingly been flooded with appeals from families searching for missing sons and daughters. While many children are eventually found, others remain unaccounted for, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty.
Child rights advocates have called for faster investigations, improved coordination between agencies, and stronger community awareness programmes to help prevent abductions and child exploitation.
Many protesters carried photographs of missing loved ones, turning the demonstration into a powerful reminder of families still searching for answers.
Calls for Action
Organisers said the protest was intended to keep public attention focused on the safety of women and children rather than on political issues.
They urged law enforcement agencies to prioritise investigations, ensure perpetrators are held accountable, and strengthen measures aimed at preventing violence before it occurs.
As the crowd dispersed, many participants expressed hope that the growing public pressure would translate into concrete action.
For families affected by femicide and missing children cases, the message remained simple: justice delayed is justice denied.
