Jubilee oppressing women, claim MPs

Jubilee women MPs led by Kandara MP Alice Wahome(centre) addressing the media at Parliament on Thursday. They called on their party to stop threats and intimidation against members allied to Deputy President William Ruto. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Eleven women MPs have protested the removal of Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika as majority whip.

The legislators, led by Kandara MP Alice Wahome, said the decision by Jubilee Party would erode gains made in propping up women into the country’s leadership. 

They also castigated the party’s decision to subject four nominated senators to a disciplinary process after failing to attend Jubilee’s Parliamentary Group (PG) at State House, during which Ms Kihika was kicked out of her position. Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen also lost his position as Majority Leader.

Murkomen was replaced by West Pokot’s Samuel Poghisio while Kihika’s post was taken by Irungu Kang’ata of Murang’a.

Wahome, who read their statement, said the party’s actions will frustrate efforts to empower women politically.

Also at the press conference were women representatives Tecla Tum (Nandi), Janet Chebaibai (Elgeyo Marakwet), Joyce Korir (Bomet) and MPs Beatrice Kones (Bomet East), Aisha Jumwa (Malindi)  among others.

Ruto allies

They termed the processes involved in disciplining the legislators unfair, claiming the party ignored procedures. 

“As party members and women leaders in Jubilee, we want to express solidarity with Senator Susan Kihika and all nominated senators served with show case letters by the party Secretary General. We reject and denounce the manner in which our party has selectively issued letters to women nominated senators who allegedly did not attend a Parliamentary Group meeting at State House,” the statement said.

The statement added: “Even assuming the process was right, why would our party PG purport to remove a woman chief whip and replace her with a male chief whip? What does this say about the treatment of women by our party?”

On Wednesday, Jubilee Party issued show-cause letters to nominated senators Millicent Omanga, Naomi Waqo, Iman Falhada, Christine Zawadi and Mary Seneta as well as Victor Prengei.

The senators who are allied to Deputy President William Ruto were accused of failing to honour an invite to attend a Jubilee PG chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.