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The brutal murder of a young Kenyan woman at a short-term rental apartment has sparked outrage and exposed the violent “manosphere” perpetuating misogyny online in the country.<\/p>\n
The woman was dismembered and her remains were stuffed into a plastic bag, according to a police report seen by the BBC. The police are investigating but the suspect is still at large.<\/p>\n
The case has left Amnesty International Kenya executive director Irungu Houghton feeling “shocked and outraged”.<\/p>\n
“Another women in her 20s who will not get to see her 40s,” he said.<\/p>\n
Less than two weeks ago, a Kenyan socialite was also murdered in a short-term rental apartment in the capital, Nairobi.<\/p>\n
Gender-based violence is a major concern in Kenya. In 2022 at least 34% of women said they had experienced physical violence, according to a national survey.<\/p>\n
This latest killing has shed light on a dark corner of Kenya’s social media which has been described as the “manosphere”, where many comments have been shared blaming the women for their own deaths.<\/p>\n
A “manosphere” is a network of online platforms that focuses on promoting masculinity and works in opposition to feminism.<\/p>\n
One Kenyan man on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “I honestly think no amount of activism will stop femicide.”<\/p>\n
He added that it was up to “ladies to put their safety first”, claiming it was the only “feasible option”.<\/p>\n
In response to the rampant victim blaming, “STOP KILLING WOMEN” began trending in Kenya on X.<\/p>\n
One woman on X said: “Can’t believe we’re still seeing stories of what women should and shouldn’t do when men should actually stop killing women first,” adding that “It’s really so simple.”<\/p>\n
Kenyan MP Esther Passaris told the BBC she was not surprised at the victim-blaming online because Kenya is a patriarchal society, and looks down on women.<\/p>\n
She says that as a woman in the public eye, she has been the target of derogatory language and is often called a “prostitute”.<\/p>\n
For many campaigners, the response from Kenyan men online is not uncommon.<\/p>\n
Mr Houghton told the BBC these comments were not simply isolated cases of misogynistic men but were indicative of a broader culture of “woman-hating”.<\/p>\n
“Social media and SMS platforms are the new public square. Public spaces for public debate. Kenya society remains divided on what drives sexual and gender-based violence.<\/p>\n
“For some, female victim-blaming and for others the blanket condemnation of men are acceptable arguments,” Mr Houghton said.<\/p>\n
Onyango Otieno, a 35-year-old activist, who challenges dominant harmful narratives of heteromasculinty, told the BBC that men spew derogatory language because the “promise of patriarchy” is being removed as women demand greater equality.<\/p>\n
He says Kenyan men have been socialised to believe their place is above women, but the rise of feminism has left many men feeling emasculated or displaced.<\/p>\n
“Many men were not taught or educated on how to coexist with women as equal human beings,” Mr Otieno sighs.<\/p>\n
He says many men are struggling with this reality. The “manosphere” is in a sense a way to fight for the “promise of patriarchy”.<\/p>\n
“The world has evolved in so many ways. Men have not,” he says decisively.<\/p>\n
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