Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on President William Ruto to introduce strict regulations for low-cost short-stay accommodation businesses—commonly known as Airbnbs—citing their link to a rise in femicide cases.
Speaking during the funeral of former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo in Homa Bay County, Nyong’o said the rapid spread of these establishments has replaced traditional hotels in many towns, attracting clients with their affordability and privacy. The Airbnb model typically involves renting a fully furnished home where guests pay only for their stay, with the option to prepare their own meals.
However, Nyong’o warned that these spaces have increasingly become “breeding grounds” for violent crimes against women.
“There is something happening in Kenya that is extremely dangerous, which I’m sure Phoebe Asiyo would have stood against—femicide. In Kisumu County, we have a theory that the increase in femicide is closely associated with the increase of Airbnbs. Mr. President, let us have strict control over the opening and operation of these facilities. Otherwise, this femicide will continue under the guise of people going to Airbnbs,” Nyong’o said.
The governor urged the government to make the registration and monitoring of such facilities mandatory, ensuring they are “strongly controlled and accounted for.”
Femicide Crisis in Kenya
Kenya has been grappling with rising cases of femicide. A July 2025 report indicated that at least 129 women were killed in the first three months of the year—43 in January, 42 in February, and 44 in March. The Rift Valley, Eastern, and Western regions recorded the highest numbers.
Data from the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) shows that in most cases, the victims knew their attackers. Men were responsible for 85% of the killings, women for 10%, while the remainder remain unresolved. Half of the murders were linked to domestic disputes.
In January, President Ruto formed a 42-member task force—chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Barasa—to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the growing femicide crisis.
Nyong’o’s remarks have ignited debate on whether regulating Airbnbs could help curb the trend, with calls for a nationwide policy framework gaining momentum.
Leave a Reply