A vigil named "Dark Valentine" has been announced by Janet Mbugua in remembrance of the women who have been brutally killed in acts of femicide.
The vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the University of Nairobi's (UoN) main campus.
"It might be Valentine's Day week but there is a darkness that still hovers. This is because many who we should be celebrating love with, are instead being grieved," said Mbugua.
The well-known journalist added that in addition to applying pressure on Parliament and County Assemblies to comply with a petition's demands, the vigil will also try to curb femicide.
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The petition above calls for several measures, such as the President issuing an Executive Order pledging zero tolerance for both femicide and violence against women (VAW) and femicide as a national crisis.
The President, Cabinet Secretaries, other ministry officials, Members of Parliament, Speakers of the Senate and National Assembly, Governors, Senators, the Chief Justice, and all magistrates and judges are required to denounce VAW and femicide publicly.
She also urged well-wishers to provide candles, water, flowers, handkerchiefs, and other items to support the vigil.
This announcement follows femicide cases that were publicized in January, involving, among others, socialite Starlet Wahu and university student Rita Waeni.
Last month, a forceful, nonviolent march against femicide was organized by women's advocacy groups like Usikimye and Feminists in Kenya to denounce the heinous crime.
Social media was another tool used by lobby groups to mobilize support and highlight the urgent need for group action.
