There is no doubt that cases of domestic violence in Kenya are on an alarming rise with women the main victims.
This comes in the wake of another shocking incident in which the police are probing the death of a 28-year-old woman suspected to have been killed by her husband on Saturday night at Royal estate in Oruba sub-location, Suna West Sub-county.
According to reports, the body of the woman identified as Evelyn Musira was found lying in a pool of blood inside their house on Sunday morning by neighbours who reported the matter to the area chief. The body had several deep panga cuts.
Confirming the incident, Oruba Sub-location Chief Charles Ouma said they suspect that the deceased was murdered by the husband identified as Lucas Kuria who is currently at large.
“The report from the deceased’s son aged 5 years indicates that his father came to the house drunk on Saturday night and ordered him out of the house. The boy also says he heard the mother crying as he was leaving the house to spend the night in the neighborhood,” said the Chief.
Mr. Ouma added that they have established that the deceased and the husband were embroiled in domestic wrangles, with the woman recently reporting an assault case against the husband at Migori Police Station.
The body of the deceased was moved to Migori Level Four Hospital mortuary as the police pursue the murder suspect.
These among other recent similar news have dominated the media barely two months into the year have may have set a new national record, sparking off debate in offices, homes, social media and social places about the state of Kenyan society.
According to the Economic Survey 2018, there has been a steady rise in the number of murders over the last three years.
Official data reveals the number of suicides reported in Kenya rose by 58 per cent between 2008 and 2017 to reach 421.
A crime report in the 2018 Economic Survey shows there were 2,774 murder incidents in 2017 as compared to 2,751 in 2016, 2,648 in 2015, 2,649 in 2014 and 2,878 in 2013.
Though no explanation is offered for the murders or the gender of those involved, cases involving relationships have been on the rise.