High Court Sentences Paul Murage to 40 Yrs for Family Murder

Kirinyaga, Kenya – November 19, 2024 – Today, High Court Judge Richard Mwongo sentenced Paul Murage to 40 years imprisonment for the gruesome 2021 murder of his wife and four children. Murage had surrendered to the Kianyaga Police Station after committing the heinous act, leading police to the tragic scene where the bodies of Millicent Muthoni Rungu, 38, Nelly Wawira, 13, Gifton Bundi Muthoni, 7, Sheromit Wambui Muthoni, 5, and Clifton Njuki Murage, 1, were found with severe head injuries.

Assistant Chief of Rukenya sublocation, Mr. Keneth Murimi Ndambiri, reported the case. The police, led by SCPC and SCCIO Kirinyaga East, visited the scene and discovered the bodies with multiple cuts, presumably inflicted by a slasher found at the scene.

This case highlights the alarming rise in femicide cases across Kenya. A recent report by NTV underscored the dire situation, revealing that nearly 97 femicide cases were recorded in the past three months alone, equating to roughly one woman killed every day. The Nairobi Women Hospital’s gender violence recovery centres report about 4,000 gender-based violence (GBV) cases monthly.

National Crisis and Government Response

Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe announced plans for a national campaign. This campaign aims to establish and improve support systems, including shelters, counselling services, and legal assistance for victims. Improved data collection on femicide and GBV will inform policy decisions and track progress.

In a recent speech at the African Divine Church in Nairobi, President William Ruto attributed the rise in femicide cases to a mix of moral decay and criminal activity, committing to enhancing law enforcement capabilities to tackle the issue. “We will go out of our way to equip our police to deal with this challenge,” Ruto promised.

Call for Action and Societal Involvement

The rising femicide cases have sparked an outcry across various sectors. Leah Sankaire, Kewopa Chairperson and Kajiado Woman Representative, expressed frustration at the slow response, calling for immediate action and justice for victims. Susan Otieno from Action Aid suggested creating a public register of femicide perpetrators, while boy child advocate Faith Nashipae emphasized the importance of involving men and boys in prevention efforts.

Need for Judicial Efficiency

The case of Paul Murage, a self-confessed killer whose case took over three years to conclude, underscores the urgent need for the courts to expedite the delivery of justice. Delays in prosecuting femicide cases, even when the perpetrators have confessed, exacerbate the pain and suffering of the victims’ families and undermine public trust in the judicial system. Efficient and swift justice is critical in deterring future crimes and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable without undue delay.

UN Women has called on the government to invest in proven strategies to prevent violence against women and address the impunity often associated with these cases. As the nation grapples with this crisis, the collective message is clear: protecting Kenya’s women and girls requires not just government action, but a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and behaviours.

Credits: This story includes information from an NTV report.