On Monday, April 14, 2025, Hannah Wendot Cheptumo appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments. She is the nominee for Cabinet Secretary of Gender, Culture, The Arts, and Heritage. During her vetting, Cheptumo addressed the recent rise in femicide cases, sharing strong views on the causes and possible solutions.

Cheptumo said many of the femicide cases in Kenya are linked to women getting into relationships for financial reasons.

“They are educated, but those are looking for money,” she told the committee, when questioned about the fact that many of the murdered women were university students."

According to Cheptumo, the key problem is financial dependency. She believes that many young women end up in dangerous situations while trying to make ends meet.

“I see a lot of it is because of dependency. If girls were able to have economic power, they would not depend on the other gender,” she said.“Sometimes they are in situations where they are exposed because they are trying to get an alternative source of income.”

Cheptumo argued that education and financial empowerment are critical tools in ending gender-based violence.

“If a woman is educated, chances are they will avoid these challenges in society today,” she said.

The CS nominee also proposed that schools should teach students about gender-based violence, respect, and equality.

“We must integrate gender-based violence education into the school curriculum so that learners grow up knowing how to treat each other with respect,” she said.

To fight gender violence more effectively, Cheptumo plans to work with local communities, religious leaders, and county forums.

“We will engage community leaders through churches, barazas, and county forums. Religious leaders in both mosques and churches will play a critical role in helping combat these harmful practices,” she added.

Cheptumo is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, who passed away in February this year. She is a lawyer, passionate about women’s rights, social justice, and legal empowerment.

If appointed, she promises to push for grassroots solutions and mentorship programs, especially for boys, to help build a more respectful and gender-aware society.