'Insensitive': Gender CS sparks backlash with anniversary post amid femicide crisis

Gender, Culture, and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo is a woman under siege. 

Cheptumo is facing growing backlash after celebrating her one year in office with a statement on X, highlighting the ministry’s achievements.

In the post shared on social media, the CS reflected on advancing the rights of women, men, and children and praised ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusion, policy frameworks, and partnerships.

“Just over a year ago, I took the oath of office as Gender Cabinet Secretary. Over the past year, we have worked together with a deep sense of duty to the people of Kenya to advance the rights, welfare, dignity, and opportunities of women, men, children, and vulnerable members of our society while preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage that defines us as a nation,” she wrote.

But the post has now attracted criticism online, with some Kenyans accusing the ministry of projecting a polished image while women and children continue to face violence across the country amid growing calls for urgent government intervention.

An X user, WeThePeopleKE movement, criticised the CS saying: “One year in office and can say you have made a difference? Women and men are still being violated and killed. Children are being defiled. Where is the plan to confront SGBV in a serious and sustained way? Even the GBV and femicide report sits at the President's desk and you have not pushed anything. No single achievement. Just vibes and inshallah.”

Another user, Mildred Chebet, echoing similar remarks, stated: “Children are disappearing. Women are being killed. Survivors of SGBV are crying for justice in a country that keeps failing them. Yet a whole CS is busy celebrating one year in office like there is anything to applaud.”

 “What have you done exactly? Your statement is ambiguous,” another user, Alfred Halisi, added. 

Rising femicide cases
The criticism comes against the backdrop of growing concern over cases of violence against women and girls that have sparked protests, outrage and renewed debate on the effectiveness of Kenya’s response to gender-based violence.

According to data by the National Police Service cited by the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, femicide cases rose from five hundred and thirty-five (535) in 2023 to 578 in 2024, with Nairobi recording the highest number of reported cases, followed by Nakuru and Meru.

Separate reports by rights groups and researchers have also painted a grim picture.

A report under the Silencing Women Project by Odipo Dev and Africa Uncensored documented at least 170 women killed in 2024, more than double the annual average recorded between 2016 and 2023.

Just hours earlier, an eight-year-old girl was found dead in Kilifi after a lengthy search.

According to the postmortem report, the child’s neck had been broken and she had also allegedly been defiled, in a case that has renewed concerns over violence against women and children.

According to Cheptumo, the ministry has strengthened policy frameworks, deepened institutional coordination, and built partnerships that place the welfare of people at the centre of governance.

But critics are questioning what strengthening policy frameworks means in practice if such incidents continue to occur without visible intervention, public condemnation, or sustained action from the government. 

Gender CS’s role?
Under Kenya’s government structure, the Gender Cabinet Secretary is tasked with spearheading policies and programmes related to gender equality, protection of children and vulnerable groups, prevention of gender-based violence, women empowerment, social inclusion and coordination of interventions aimed at protecting victims and promoting equality.

The ministry also plays a key role in policy development, public awareness campaigns, coordination with law enforcement agencies and partnerships with civil society organisations working on issues affecting women and children.

While the government has in recent months unveiled initiatives aimed at addressing sexual and gender-based violence, including the establishment of a technical working group and the rollout of the Safe Homes Safe Spaces initiative, activists argue that responses have largely remained reactive and insufficient compared to the scale of the crisis.

“From the heartbreaking loss of innocent children to the systemic failure of our national and county governments, it is clear that women and girls are under siege while the state remains shamefully silent,” Vocal Africa stated.

According to the lobby group, there remains a disconnect between government messaging and the lived reality of women facing violence across the country. “We demand that the Government immediately declare femicide a national disaster and implement the urgent recommendations required to ensure justice, accountability, and the basic right to safety for all.”

Another X user, Wayne Gakuo, added: “So many children are disappearing in Kenya yet your ministry doesn't note this with concern.”