NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 25 – Women Members of Parliament have condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what they described as a pattern of gender-based political violence, intimidation and attacks targeting women leaders and women associated with his political opponents.

📻 Breaking It Down

Led by Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris, the MPs said political disagreements should not degenerate into personal attacks, humiliation or the targeting of women based on their gender, marital status or political affiliations.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, the lawmakers said they were particularly concerned about remarks and conduct they attributed to Gachagua, arguing that women leaders should be judged on their policies, decisions and performance rather than their gender or personal circumstances.

“Our concern is the manner in which these disagreements have been expressed, particularly where women leaders, women spouses and women in vulnerable circumstances have been singled out, personally attacked, undermined or drawn into political confrontations,” the MPs said in a joint statement.

📌 What You Need to Know

The lawmakers cited several incidents which they said illustrated the pattern, including alleged verbal attacks against Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau.

According to the MPs, Gitau has accused Gachagua of repeatedly using degrading and gendered insults against her, including referring to her as a “witch” and “malaya”.

The lawmakers said such language amounted to gender-based humiliation rather than legitimate political criticism.

“Women leaders should be challenged on their policies, performance and ideas—not their morality, sexuality or womanhood,” they said.

The MPs also raised the April 17 incident involving Mwea MP Mary Maingi during a burial ceremony in Mwea.

They said Gachagua, while addressing mourners by phone, reportedly described Maingi as a “traitor of the community” and accused her of supporting the Government, triggering a heated confrontation.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya