As the world celebrates Valentine's Day with flowers and romantic gestures, Kenyan activists took a solemn stance against gender-based violence and femicide.
The women behind the #EndFemicideKe movement showed up to a vigil at the University of Nairobi to remember women who have been victims of femicide.
The women donned black clothing to symbolise the sombre tone of the occasion.
Similar vigils have been organised in several places in the country with the women calling the day 'Dark Valentine'.
The vigils, the women say, are meant to honour the lives lost to femicide and to demand accountability from policymakers.
Speaking during the vigil, Valerie Aura, a survivor of gender-based violence called on the government to implement the changes necessary to end femicide.
"We want to compel the government to prioritise and implement the necessary changes to end femicide and all forms of GBV incidents in Kenya," Aura said.
Ajra Mohammed, a Partnership Specialist at Nguvu Collective highlighted the importance of creating an environment where women can live free from violence.
She urged policymakers to listen to the women in protest and implement their demands.
"We hope that the Dark Valentine's demonstration serves as an eye opener for our National and County decision makers and that they immediately take action on the demands," she said.
According to data from Africa Data Hub, more than 500 women fell victim to femicide in Kenya between 2016 and 2023, with the majority of cases involving young women killed by their intimate partners.
Usikimye, a non-profit organization campaigning against GBV reports that 21 women were killed in January this year, hence the need for urgent action.
