- Esther Passaris criticised the slow handling of GBV cases
- She urged the DCI to urgently resolve femicide and assault cases
- Passaris rejected excuses and victim-blaming narratives
- She defended women’s bodily autonomy and personal freedom
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has strongly criticised how Kenya is handling cases of gender-based violence (GBV), accusing investigative agencies of dragging their feet as serious crimes go unresolved. She has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to stop giving excuses and take urgent action on cases of femicide, rape, and sexual assault.
Speaking amid growing public anger, Passaris expressed deep frustration with the slow pace of investigations, saying the delays are creating fear, pain, and loss of trust among Kenyans.
“This is your job. Do it. Now. We are tired,” she said, directly addressing officers handling GBV cases.
Her remarks come at a time when the country is witnessing a rise in femicide cases, with many families and survivors feeling ignored by the justice system.
Passaris dismissed claims that police are overwhelmed by the number of GBV cases, insisting that workload cannot be used to justify failure.
She noted that every unresolved case represents a life lost or damaged, and a family left without answers.
“Accountability cannot be optional when lives are at stake,” she said, adding that justice must be pursued fully and without delay.
The Woman Representative also took a clear stand against victim-blaming, which she said continues to protect offenders while harming survivors.
“Not my clothes. Not the way I walk. Not my age. And certainly not my political affiliation. Victims are never to blame,” Passaris stated.
She emphasised that how a woman dresses or presents herself does not amount to consent or excuse abuse.
In a strong message on personal freedom, she added, “These are my body parts. They belong to me. Showing them does not give anyone the right to harm me.”
Beyond condemnation, Passaris urged the DCI to keep the public informed about progress in GBV cases. She warned that silence from authorities only encourages perpetrators and weakens public confidence.
According to her, delayed justice is equal to denied justice, and communities will continue to feel abandoned if authorities fail to act and communicate.
Kenya continues to struggle with rising GBV cases affecting women and girls across all counties and social classes. Civil society organisations have repeatedly called for a coordinated national response that puts survivor safety, dignity, and justice first.
