Nairobi Radio Presenter Lilian Achieng’ Discovered Dead Inside Boyfriend’s House

Police in Kahawa West, Kiambu County, are investigating a tragic case of femicide after the body of Lilian Achieng’ Aluko, a popular radio presenter, was discovered in her boyfriend’s house on Friday, November 1. This incident adds to the growing list of femicide cases troubling the nation.

Lilian Achieng’ Aluko, a 33-year-old presenter at Radio 44, was found with severe facial injuries and a stab wound behind her right ear. Her boyfriend, suspected of the brutal murder, has since vanished, prompting police to launch a manhunt for the suspect.

According to a police report, Lilian had informed her family on Thursday that she would be spending the night at her boyfriend’s place, marking the last time they saw her alive. Neighbors reported hearing violent altercations coming from the residence shortly after the couple returned home from a local entertainment joint. Despite the sounds of distress, they were unable to intervene as the door was locked and the stereo volume was loud. A knife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered at the scene.

Lilian is remembered by friends as a vibrant and full-of-life individual. Her tragic death has sparked outrage and renewed calls for action against the rising tide of femicide in the country. In the past three months alone, 97 women have lost their lives to gender-based violence, according to data from the National Police Service.

President William Ruto, addressing the issue during a church service at the African Divine Church in Nairobi on Sunday, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating violence against women. “We face both a criminal and a moral issue that we must tackle together. As a government, I promise we will do everything possible to equip our police with the resources they need to address this issue,” Ruto stated. “At the same time, as parents and citizens, we must confront the moral dimension. We need to ask ourselves: What can I do to help prevent this menace? We are developing a comprehensive program to address this challenge holistically, tackling both the criminal and moral aspects.”

Civil society groups have urged the President to declare femicide a national crisis and disaster, pressing for immediate and decisive action. “The president should officially declare femicide a national crisis and disaster, assuring the public that his administration is actively working to protect women and girls across the country. We demand that he instruct the National Police Service to release a comprehensive report on the status of femicide investigations within 14 days,” said the lobby groups.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for coordinated action and collaboration to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.”

As the investigation into Lilian Achieng’ Aluko’s death continues, her family and the community are left mourning the loss of a beloved daughter, friend, and colleague, while calling for justice and stronger measures to protect women from such heinous acts.