Ugandan Track and Field Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei was murdered by her partner, Dickson Ndiema, just weeks after returning from the Olympic games. The initial dispute between the couple concerned land she had purchased in Kenya to live closer to training facilities; Ndiema quickly turned violent and doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her on fire. However, this is not an isolated tragedy. In 2021, Kenyan distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in her home in Iten, in northwest Kenya. The perpetrator was her husband, Ibrahim Rotich. This string of high-profile murders highlights an even bigger issue of violence against women: a problem that has reached alarming levels in Africa, particularly in Kenya.
The sleepy town of Iten, nestled along Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, has earned a legendary status in long-distance running. This unassuming place, perched at a breathtaking 8,000 feet above sea level, has become a pilgrimage site for athletes seeking to unlock the secrets of Kenyan running prowess. The region’s dominance in cross-country races, marathons, and road-racing circuits is extraordinary, sparking intense scientific curiosity. Researchers have proposed various theories to explain this phenomenon: perhaps the high altitude training boosts red blood cell production, or the endless stretches of dirt roads provide perfect training grounds. Whatever the reason, year after year, aspiring champions flock to this high-altitude haven, hoping to absorb some of the magic that seems to permeate the very air of Kenya’s running capital. For women in this area, this is a glimmer of hope. It can be a way out of oppressive structures and obtain some form of financial freedom. However, men of the area prey on these young, hopeful runners, promising them coaching and success and then trapping them in abusive relationships. These women who come to Iten are already vulnerable and only find themselves in even more vulnerable situations as these men take advantage of them.
According to recent studies, Kenya has one of the highest rates of femicide in Africa, with hundreds of women and girls losing their lives each year to gender-based violence. In 2022, at least 34% of Kenyan women said they had experienced physical violence, according to a national survey. Femicide, the killing of women and girls because of their gender, is a grave human rights violation forged in the systems of patriarchy that inherently devalue women and treat women as property or second-class citizens. But culture alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Kenya’s economic landscape plays a crucial role. In a country where nearly 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, financial dependency becomes a trap for many women.
However, hope is still possible. Feminists worldwide are stepping into this space and demanding freedom and safety for all women. Legislators such as Hon. Millie Odhiambo have championed laws to protect women in the Kenyan Parliament. The Protection Against Domestic Violence Act of 2015 was a significant step forward, providing legal recourse for victims of abuse. However, Odhiambo notes, “It was not just about awareness or lack of representation – the laws themselves were defective. Gender discrimination was allowed under the old constitution.”
In addition to advocating for new legislation, grassroots organizations are also leading the charge on the ground. In Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s largest slums, the Feminists in Kenya group runs workshops teaching women about their rights and how to seek help. The group Tirop’s Angels was set up to combat gender-based violence in honor of record-breaking Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, 25, who was stabbed to death at her home. Groups like these, in partnership with legislation, are critical to tackling the struggle of femicide and calling attention to the murder of women. We must work to protect our sisters across the globe, who should not have to continue living in fear every day.
