The End Femicide Movement has condemned the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Gender Hanna Cheptumo over her remarks linking the rising femicide cases in Kenya to women’s financial dependence on men.
In a strongly worded press statement released on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the movement expressed outrage at what they termed as victim-blaming and misinformation coming from someone expected to champion women’s rights.
The movement said that instead of focusing on the real perpetrators, Cheptumo chose to blame women for the violence inflicted on them.
The statement dismissed her claim that femicide is fueled by women pursuing relationships for financial gain, stating that such views ignore the deeper issues of male entitlement, control, and power. The movement maintained that most of the murders are committed by men who feel entitled to women’s lives, bodies, property, and labour.
“We also decry the victim-blaming tone adopted by Hanna Cheptumo, the President’s nominee for Gender Cabinet Secretary. We reiterate that femicide is not something women or girls bring on themselves: we are never to blame for the violence meted out against us,” the statement read in part.
“It is the perpetrators of this violence who should bear the blame, the shame and the consequences! Additionally, we call her out for spreading misinformation about femicide. Femicide in Kenya is in no way promoted or facilitated by “women pursuing relationships motivated by a desire for money.”
They further called on the National Assembly to reject Cheptumo’s appointment, arguing that her statements clearly show she is unfit for the role of Gender CS.
While the movement welcomed the establishment of a Technical Working Group on gender-based violence and the ongoing public participation forums that began in Nairobi on April 3, they urged the government to make the schedule and venues available to the public across the country.
They emphasised the need for women, girls, and human rights defenders to be part of the process to ensure their voices are heard.
Butere Girls incident
They also condemned the recent police action against students at Butere Girls’ High School, where officers reportedly lobbed teargas at students on two separate days the previous week. The movement called for the immediate identification and prosecution of the officers involved. They highlighted the health risks of tear gas, especially for women and girls, citing its damaging effects on both the respiratory and reproductive systems.
They dismissed claims that the students were being used for political reasons, saying such suggestions undermine the intelligence and autonomy of the girls. The movement insisted that the students, just like other young women across the country, are capable of expressing their views and should be listened to.
“We also issue this statement to add our voice to the nationwide condemnation of police harassment, teargassing and threats of violence suffered by the students of Butere Girls High School last week,” the statement read.
“We reject the narrative that the brave, brilliant girls of Butere Girls are being used to ‘settle political scores.” We see this narrative for what it is: the denial of the intelligence, autonomy, and agency of these girls.”
Cheptumo on femicide
Cheptumo, who appeared before Parliament on Monday, April 14, for her vetting, said her goal, if appointed, would be to empower women economically. She argued that financial dependence puts women in vulnerable situations, and with more access to education and financial opportunities, women would be safer from harmful relationships.
“I see a lot of it is because of dependency. If girls had economic power, they would not depend on the other gender. Sometimes they are in situations where they are exposed because they are trying to get an alternative source of income,” she said.
She went on to add, “If a woman is educated, chances are they will avoid these challenges in society today.”
However, her comments drew immediate criticism. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula reminded her that many of the women recently murdered were already educated. He cited the growing number of cases involving women killed in Airbnbs as an example.
“The girls who have been killed in Airbnbs are educated,” he pointed out.
But Cheptumo stood by her remarks, replying, “They are educated, but those are looking for money.”
Likoni MP Mishi Juma Khamisi also pushed back, saying it was wrong to suggest that the victims were killed because they were seeking money. She argued that many women have died under different, unrelated circumstances and that the narrative being pushed by Cheptumo was not only misleading but also dangerous.
“It is not right to say that those girls are looking for money and that is why they are brutally murdered. We have seen many other women who have been killed in circumstances other than money,” she said.
She added that such narratives risk justifying violence and taking attention away from the real problem: the perpetrators of femicide.
With pressure mounting from civil society, activists, and a section of lawmakers over the rise of femicide cases, Cheptumo has faced backlash with the public describing her remarks as insensitive and uncalled for in times like these.