By Jane Obila Beatrice
It is tragic to learn of cases in Kenya of women killed by their intimate partners due to problems
like gender-based violence or love triangles.
Article 26 of the Kenyan constitution states that every person has the right to life and that no one
should take it away from them under any circumstances. This shows how precious life is and that
no one should take another person's life, no matter what happens.
An article published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime highlights the alarming
nature of this threat and the urgency with which it must be addressed. It reports that 47,000
women and girls worldwide were murdered by their intimate partners in 2020.
Instead of taking the law into their own hands, which can have disastrous consequences, people
should try to find a solution that positively impacts their relationship.
For committing similar crimes, we have witnessed other people being placed behind bars. For
example, a court found Jowi Irungu guilty of killing businesswoman Monica Kimani, ending her
dreams and destroying her future. He was sentenced to death.
As per a news report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
approximately 12 per cent of these deaths are linked to jealousy, which is preventable. The report
also states that the couple argued just before the homicide.
Healthy relationships are essential to averting such tragedies. If someone is going through
severe emotional distress, they should talk openly about their feelings and concerns and get
professional assistance from counsellors and psychologists.
While staying in a toxic relationship can have damaging effects on one's mental, emotional, and
even physical well-being, recognizing the signs of a toxic relationship and prioritizing one's own
mental and emotional health are crucial because they can help people avoid the dire
consequences of relationship crises.
Without taking one another's lives, let us show one another love and work out the issues
affecting us.
