Human rights activists and advocates for commercial sex workers are raising the alarm over what they describe as a worrying rise in femicide in Eldoret after two women were found murdered in separate incidents within five days, fueling fresh scrutiny of poorly secured low-cost lodgings that residents say have become crime hotspots.

The latest incident unfolded on Thursday morning when residents of Kipkaren Estate discovered the body of a 26-year-old woman stuffed inside a sack and abandoned in a rental house after the original occupants had reportedly fled.

The discovery came just days after the body of a 38-year-old woman, identified by her peers only as Zeddy, was found inside a lodging in the Juakali area along the busy Eldoret-Webuye highway.

The back-to-back killings have intensified fears among rights groups, who say the deaths point to an emerging pattern of violence targeting vulnerable women.

The death of Zeddy has also reignited concerns over security in Juakali's low-cost lodgings, with residents warning that lax security measures are exposing women working along the highway to grave danger.

Residents say many of the budget lodgings operate without guest registers, surveillance cameras or proper access controls, making it difficult for investigators to trace suspects and allowing criminals to exploit the facilities.

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sex work prostitution — Activists are raising the alarm over a rise in femicide in Eldoret after two women were found murdered in separate incidents within five days.

Photo credit: Pool

According to local Nyumba Kumi leader Mr Solomon Musumi, Zeddy had been living in one of the lodging rooms for some time. On Monday night, she reportedly received a man believed to be a client before women occupying neighbouring rooms discovered her body the following morning.

Mr Musumi described the latest death as the third reported at the same lodging in less than two years. He called for both police and business owners to take responsibility for improving security.

"This area cannot remain a dark alley for killers to hide. We know these low-end lodgings operate without guest registers or security cameras, making them death traps. We are working with the police to weed out these criminals, but business owners must also be held accountable for who they allow into their rooms," said Mr Musumi.

Zeddy’s friends described her as cheerful and full of life. One woman staying at the lodging, who identified herself as a commercial sex worker, said she was devastated by the loss.

"Zeddy was always a jovial, sharp woman whose laughter echoed through the corridors of Juakali. By dawn, that laughter had been permanently silenced. I will miss her,” she said.

Another friend, identified only as B.C., recalled seeing Zeddy walk into her room on Monday night with a man she believed was "just another customer". She said that was the last time she saw her alive before her body was found lying on her bed the following morning.

Coordinator of the Reforming Sex Workers Union (RSWU) in Eldoret Ms MS Ann Nasimiyu said Zeddy's death marked the third reported femicide in the same area in less than three years, lamenting that little had changed despite previous killings.

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"These women have been forced into this work by harsh economic realities and should not be victimised. How many more bodies must be pulled from these lodgings before the authorities take action?" she asked.

Another commercial sex worker and friend of the deceased, Ms Sarah Jepchumba, said many women in the trade now live in constant fear.

"Every time you lock a lodging door with a client, you wonder if you're coming out alive. Zeddy did nothing wrong except try to survive. Now we are all looking over our shoulders, wondering who is next."

Ms Ruth Kakenya, Director of Neighbors in Action, an organisation advocating for the safety and rights of commercial sex workers, described the recent killings as a stark manifestation of escalating femicide in the region.

"These killings are no longer isolated incidents; they are part of a chilling pattern of femicide targeting vulnerable women in our community," she said.

She urged security agencies in Eldoret to expedite investigations into both cases and bring an end to the killings targeting women associated with commercial sex work.

The entrance to Eldoret Municipality offices in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on February 19, 2025.

Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group

Nation has confirmed that police have launched investigations into both incidents.

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Confirming the Kipkaren killing, Kapseret Sub-County Police Commander Mr Zaphaniah Kamren said officers responded swiftly and had already made significant progress.

"We have taken two suspects into custody in connection with the Kipkaren incident," he said. He added that detectives were interrogating the suspects to establish the motive and determine whether other people were involved.

"We want to assure the public that we will not relent until those responsible for these barbaric acts face the full force of the law," he added.

Separately, Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Mr Patrick Wekesa confirmed investigations into Zeddy's death.

"It is too early to speculate about the cause of death. Investigations are ongoing," he said.

Zeddy's body, which reportedly had no visible injuries, was taken to the mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to establish the cause of death, while the body of the 26-year-old woman was transferred to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Mortuary as investigations continue.

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tominde@ke.nationmedia.com