Human rights group demands Cheptumo’s removal as Gender CS, cites harmful views on femicide
They noted that despite several committee members prompting her to address preventive measures, she focused instead on what women should do to ‘avoid’ being harmed or killed.
A coalition of 16 organisations has opposed Hanna Cheptumo’s nomination as Gender Cabinet Secretary, accusing her of victim-blaming and lacking insight into gender-based violence.
According to the organisations, Cheptumo failed to acknowledge the role of perpetrators in femicide and instead placed the burden on women to avoid harm.
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The organisations, which form part of the Coalition Against Sexual Violence, expressed “profound outrage” over remarks made by Cheptumo during her vetting, where she suggested that women who fall victim to femicide do so because they were seeking financial support from men.
Her remarks, which suggested that some victims were targeted while seeking financial gain, sparked widespread backlash from legislators and the public.
“They are educated, but those victims) are looking for money. You know a girl has many needs,” she had said, prompting an immediate reaction from several MPs.
The coalition has termed her statement “a gross mischaracterisation of the problem and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the systemic nature of gender-based violence in Kenya.”
“It amounts to victim-blaming, suggesting that women are responsible for their violent deaths. This is not only factually incorrect but also deeply offensive and harmful,” they said.
The coalition highlighted that in 2024 alone, 725 women were killed in cases of femicide, many at the hands of people they knew: intimate partners, relatives, or close acquaintances.
“No woman deserves to be killed, period,” the groups said, criticising Cheptumo’s failure to speak about state accountability or the role of perpetrators.
They noted that despite several committee members prompting her to address preventive measures, she focused instead on what women should do to ‘avoid’ being harmed or killed.
They further argued that Cheptumo’s proposed solutions, which centred on advising women how to stay safe, were “inadequate” and revealed a “profoundly troubling misunderstanding” of the femicide crisis in the country.
The Lobby groups also raised concerns about the Cabinet’s failure to meet the two-thirds gender rule and argued that gender representation should go hand-in-hand with competence and a deep understanding of the ministry’s mandate.
In response to the growing backlash, Cheptumo issued an apology on Wednesday, shortly after the National Assembly approved her nomination, clarifying her position.
She acknowledged that her attempt to raise awareness on women’s economic challenges had been poorly worded.
“I sincerely apologise for this statement. I do not hold the belief that any woman (or other human being) deserves to be killed under any circumstances,” she said.
“While I intended to bring out some of the economic challenges that many women face, I improperly related two separate issues.”
Cheptumo also added that femicide is a serious and rising issue in Kenya and called for its explicit inclusion in the Penal Code.
“Femicide is a prevalent issue in our country, and it ought to be specifically included in the Penal Code,” she said.
Despite her apology, the coalition maintained its call for her immediate withdrawal, citing the gravity of her initial remarks and the need for a Gender CS who demonstrates clear understanding, empathy and commitment to ending gender-based violence.
The organisations under the Coalition Against Sexual Violence, include Wangu Kanja Foundation, Oxfam, Utu Wetu, Advocates for Social Change Kenya, African Gender and Media Initiative, Independent Medico-Legal Unit, Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network, Gender Violence Recovery Centre, Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, Association for Grassroots Journalists in Kenya, Flone Initiative, Huru Defenders, Maisha Safe Girls Safe House and Physicians for Human Rights.
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