Nairobi, Kenya – A powerful autobiographical play, "Free Me," is captivating audiences in Nairobi and bringing a stark spotlight to the escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya. The production, which recently had a rerun, uses visceral scenes to depict the realities faced by victims of domestic abuse, a problem that has seen a significant rise in recent years.

The play's staging comes at a time of growing public outcry and activism against GBV in Kenya. High rates of femicide and abuse against women have become increasingly prevalent, prompting nationwide marches and online campaigns. These efforts have led to some government action, including the formation of a technical working group to study the issue.

During a performance, a scene depicting a husband violently assaulting his wife elicits gasps from the audience. The wife's subsequent line, "My husband beat me up as if we were in a bar fight. Except, in a bar someone fights back," underscores the brutality and the perceived lack of protection for victims within their own homes. The play's creator, Gathoni Kimuyu, who is also a Kenyan theatre and TV producer, draws directly from her own experiences of an abusive marriage.

Kimuyu stated that the rising numbers of femicide, sexual abuse, and physical abuse against women in Kenya are deeply concerning. "When we look at the numbers in Kenya right now, cases of femicide, sexual abuse, physical abuse – any type of abuse against women – are very high," Kimuyu said. She added, "And the numbers just keep rising and rising." The decision to restage the play reflects a desire to encourage victims to speak out and to push for greater societal and governmental response.

In response to sustained public pressure throughout 2024, including marches and online movements like #StopKillingUs, #EndFemicideKe, and #TotalShutDownKe, the Kenyan government established a technical working group in January 2025. This group was tasked with identifying trends, hotspots, and the underlying causes of GBV and femicide.

The working group's report identified a complex interplay of social and cultural factors, including entrenched patriarchal structures and pervasive gender inequality, as key drivers of GBV. The report put forth recommendations aimed at addressing the crisis, such as amending existing laws to specifically define and criminalize femicide as an offense distinct from murder. It also proposed that the president officially declare GBV a national crisis.

Despite these recommendations, the government has yet to fully implement them, and incidents of gender-based violence continue to be a tragic and regular feature in Kenyan news headlines. The ongoing prevalence of such cases highlights the persistent gap between official acknowledgment and concrete action.

"Free Me" serves not only as a piece of theatre but as a potent catalyst for dialogue and a call to action. By sharing such personal and harrowing experiences, Kimuyu and the play aim to empower victims and galvanize a stronger, more effective response from both the public and policymakers to combat gender-based violence in Kenya.