Kenya Roundup: Femicide protest, police deployment to Haiti, Rift Valley Fever

Femicide protest

Over 150 women's rights movements in Kenya have called for the government to declare femicide a national emergency and a threat to national security, according to Kenya News Agency. The movements argue that recent femicide cases in Airbnbs highlight widespread gender inequality and the lack of effective measures to protect women and girls, Kenya News Agency reports. “We stand united against femicide, recognizing that its eradication requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society spearheaded by an anti-femicide campaign from the government. It is time for decisive action to ensure that no woman or girl in Kenya lives in fear of losing her life simply because of her gender,” said the rights movement in a joint petition.

Police deployment to Haiti blocked

The Kenyan High Court has blocked the deployment of police officers to Haiti for peacekeeping, stating in a ruling on January 26 that the Kenyan National Security Council has no legal authority to send officers outside Kenya and that the planned deployment would be illegal, local media the Standard reports. Justice Chacha Mwita, the judge in charge of the case said, “A declaration is hereby issued that the National Security Council has no mandate to deploy police officers outside Kenya under article 240 (8) of the Constitution. An order is at this moment issued prohibiting deployment of police officers to Haiti or any other country otherwise in compliance with part 14, sections 107 and 108 of the national police service act.”

First Rift Valley Fever human case

Kenya's Ministry of Health has confirmed the first reported human case of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is most commonly seen in domesticated animals such as cattle in the East African nation. “This outbreak is closely associated with the conclusion of El-Niño rains, leading to a surge in the mosquito population and an increased transmission of vector-borne diseases,” Patrick Amoth, Kenya’s Acting Director General for Health, is quoted by the national news agency.

Halting of housing levy

President William Ruto has defended his Housing levy policy, stating that the programme will continue despite the Court of Appeal's verdict. The court declined to extend an order allowing the state to stop deducting money from salaried workers. The president stated that while his administration respects the court's decision, he believed it was the wrong one in light of the current unemployment crisis affecting millions of Kenyan youth, saying his outfit will appeal the ruling, NTV Kenya reported. “I want to tell them that we were in the reprocess of creating a law to guide the process and they should have given us time. We will also appeal the case so that we continue with the programme and create jobs for millions of Kenyan youth… this is the first government that has a clear demonstrable plan on how to create employment,” he said.

Road levy on major roads

Kenya's Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced the East African government’s plans to charge road users for using major roads in the country. According to the official, the Kenyan government plans to expand major roads and implement a road toll model on various commonly used roads while providing alternative routes for those who wish not to pay tolls, he said on January 26. "I believe that it is possible to expand and toll the road… The good news is that there are so many alternative routes along this corridor that those who don’t wish to pay toll fees, we’ll give them those alternative roads," he is quoted by local channel Citizen Digital.