Valentines as we all know is the day we celebrate and appreciate the love we share with loved ones whether it is romantic or platonic love.

 It is tradition that people wear red, the color of love and surprise loved ones with gifts and flowers.

However, 14 Feb 2024, Valentines took a different turn for some of the women in Nairobi as they chose to celebrate it differently.

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A tribute dabbed Dark Valentine was held at the University of Nairobi graduation grounds where men and women showed up in numbers wearing all black as they were remembering the lives of the women who lost their lives to femicide.

Femicide in Kenya has become a national crisis and great concern as cases of gender based violence (GBV) where women as primary victims, are reported.

According to the data organization Africa Data Hub, at least 500 cases of femicide cases have been recorded in Kenya since 2016.

The actual number may be high due to unreported incidents, the data organization reported.

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At the tribute, candles were lit as the crowd chanted the names of the girls whose lives were lost to femicide.

Earlier this month again, Nairobians held a peaceful demonstration where they walked the streets of Nairobi with posters that discouraged femicide.

Women MPs call for urgent action against femicide

Similar to this, women MPs have called for urgent action and demand that the Ministry of Interior issue a statement outlining the progress of investigations into cases of femicide.

The Kenyan Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) said the Ministry must come out clear on the number of suspects apprehended and arraigned.

“KEWOPA calls upon th government to urgently act towards prevention of violence in accordance with the law,” KEWOPA chairperson Leah Sankaire stated.