President William Ruto addressed the alarming rise in femicide cases in Kenya on Sunday, blaming the crisis on a combination of moral decay and criminal activity.

Speaking at the African Divine Church in Nairobi, the President expressed deep concern about the growing number of Kenyan women who, expecting love and respect from their partners, have become victims of brutal violence and murder.

In response, President Ruto reassured the country of the government's determination to address the issue.

He promised to strengthen the police force and equip them to combat the troubling trend of femicide.

"I want to assure you that we will go out of our way to equip our police to deal with this challenge," he told the congregation.

However, the President emphasised that government intervention alone would not be sufficient. He urged parents and communities to address what he described as "the moral issue" underlying this violence, advocating for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes without shifting blame.

"As parents, starting with myself, as Kenyans, we must also deal with the moral issue, let us not just finger point as to who should do what, we should start by saying, what shall I do as a Citizen," he added. 

Ruto's remarks come amid mounting pressure from rights groups to declare femicide a national disaster.

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and other human rights organisations have condemned the government's perceived inaction on these heinous crimes, calling for immediate justice and accountability.

In a move to underscore the gravity of these killings, FIDA is pushing for femicide to be recognized as a standalone crime under Kenyan law.

The urgency is underscored by troubling statistics: at least 97 women have been killed over the past three months in a wave of unresolved murders that have shocked the nation.

Human rights organizations accuse the government of failing not only to protect women but also to prosecute perpetrators effectively.

A recent case exemplifies these concerns—the mysterious escape of Collins Jumaisi, the main suspect in the Kware bodies case, who vanished almost two months ago. 

Despite the severity of the charges against him, authorities have yet to provide a clear account of his escape or outline steps for his re-arrest.

 "The National Police Service has not issued a comprehensive statement on the circumstances that led to his escape and the actions towards his re-arrest," said FIDA board secretary Angela Mwadumbo. "We maintain that this laxity and lack of commitment by the National Police Service, particularly in such a grave instance, amounts to aiding and abetting these crimes."