Rights lobbies condemn attacks on pastoralist women.

Human rights lobby groups have condemned attacks on pastoralist women in northern frontier counties.

The Defenders Coalition, Samburu Women Trust (SWT), and the Pastoralists People's Initiative (PPI) have called out a series of attacks on pastoralist women leading to death and serious injuries.

The latest victim was Margaret Aleya Eisimonte, a resident of the Rongumo Clan in the Kargi area, Marsabit County.

According to the lobbies who are now calling for justice, Margaret Aleya Eisimonte tragically died on February 18, 2024, following a serious beating, allegedly, by a group of Morans claimed to be instructed by a section of elders.

It is alleged that a traditional medicine man was invited to the Rongumo clan to identify witches in the Manyatta, who in turn gave a list of women accusing them of the diabolic practices happening," said a statement by the three rights' lobbies.

It is said the pronouncement by the traditional medicine man led to the brutal assault against Margaret Aleiya Esimonte by the Morans.

Members of a nearby clan who learned about the incident are then said to have responded by rushing Aleiya Esimonte to a local hospital where she succumbed.

She was buried on 20th February in Kargi Public Cemetery.

A second victim of the barbaric attack, Ms Wareheya Sahado, is said to be recuperating after receiving a barbaric beating targeting her private parts by the same Morans.

Although discharged from the hospital, she has to make several trips to the hospital for specialized care.

Margaret Super, a woman human rights defender from Marsabit, has expressed the fear that more women are likely to be attacked and killed.

"We are shocked by this occurrence. This is murder and the murderers are walking free, and this is unacceptable. We do not know the number of women on that list by the Mganga and we fear that more women will be targeted for assault and murder just like Aleya."

Margaret said that this is a strange incident that calls for the attention of all relevant agencies in Marsabit to bring the perpetrators to book.

Jane Meriwas, the Executive Director, of Samburu Women Trust has described the incident as one of the many that remain unreported and the perpetrators walk scot-free.

"We are concerned that this is purely a femicide issue because it is only women who are accused and targeted for alleged witchcraft.” expressed Meriwas.

Kamau Ngugi, Executive Director of the Defenders Coalition, is concerned that the murdering of women in Kenya is on the rise, while the authorities remain apathetic. More than 20 incidences of femicide were reported in 2024.

"This unfortunate incident highlights the pervasive nature of violence against women. The death of Aleya is an example of the price that women in poor rural settings pay for just being women. It must be condemned."

The Defenders Coalition has urged all agencies to heed the plea of Ms Chiggai, the Government Advisor on Gender Issues, to combat the rising culture of killing women.

They also strongly condemn these acts of untold violence against poor rural women in Marsabit and now demand President William Ruto to officially condemn violence against women in Kenya.

"We want the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to thoroughly investigate the matter, arrest all perpetrators and ensure their prosecution while the Inspector General of Police to guarantee the safety and security of rural women in Marsabit, specifically those from Rongumo Clan," demanded Ngugi.