Youths in Nyeri town on Wednesday came together to honour slain university student Ivy Wangechi with a night vigil, holding a walk, lighting candles and observing a moment of silence for her and other victims of violence.
Petition for @MoiUniKenya/@MoiMedicine to give Ivy Wangechi's parents her degree post-humously, and dedicate a women's lab/ward in their teaching hospital to her eternal memory.
— Dr. Njoki Ngumi 🇰🇪 (@njokingumi) April 12, 2019
She stands for all those so cruelly taken from us by murderous men.
May we never forget. 🌻 #RIPIvy pic.twitter.com/8swJO0XtPy
The 6th Year medical student was murdered in cold blood on April 9 by an axe-wielding Naftali Kinuthia outside the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she worked.
The vigil took place as Ms Wangechi’s family prepared for her burial on Thursday in Mahiga.
‘HARSH REMINDER’
Event organisers told the media that the vigil served as a reminder of the abuse in relationships, especially between young people.
“It was meant to be an uncomfortable reminder of the level of violence and abuse that exists in relationships today,” said Ms Waruguru wa Kiai, a youth leader and one of the organisers.
“Kenyans have become too comfortable with violence and forget the victims too quickly.”
ALARMING LEVELS
The youths used the platform to pile pressure on authorities for solutions to this and other types of violence, noting the numbers had reached alarming levels.
“More than 40 women have been victims of domestic violence since January. Men have also suffered but many of their cases remain unreported. Something needs to be done,” Ms Waruguru said.
Mr Kinuthia, 28, travelled from Thika to Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County on that day on a mission to kill Ms Wangechi, who was a sixth year Moi University medical student.
Police said he told them that he killed the 25-year-old because she rejected his advances.
NOT THE FIRST VICTIM
A similar case was reported in Nyeri County as the public sought to understand why Mr Kinuthia brutally murdered Ms Wangechi.
Mary Wangui Wachira, 25, was stabbed in the neck and killed by a disgruntled man at her aunt’s home, for refusing to take him back after their separation.
Police are still pursuing Mr David Karuru, the suspect in the killing.
Ms Wachira’s body was taken to Nyeri County Referral Hospital mortuary.
And about 30 kilometres away in Karatina town, a 30-year-old businesswoman is e from 17 stab wounds allegedly inflicted by her husband.
Ms Peninah Wangechi recently threatened to kill her over marital disagreements.
“I have been married to him for seven years. He had been threatening to kill me but I never thought he would try to go through with the plan,” she said.
Ruth wanjiru kamande stabbed her boyfriend 22times in intervals over a love text message sent by another woman,feminists blamed the guy for cheating.
— ping pong official 🇰🇪 (@pauliddiali) April 12, 2019
Ivy Wangeci is killed by a crazy boyfriend n feminists R screaming femicide n hanging #Jalango.
STOP BEING HYPOCRITES! pic.twitter.com/Sud2Hwxbat
The suspect, Mr Samuel Ndirangu, surrendered to police was later arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate Karen Njalale at the Karatina Law Courts.
He denied the charge and was granted release on a bond of Sh1 million with a surety of the same amount.