Women leaders condemn cyberbullying on Soipan Tuya

L-R: Hon. Sarah Korere MP Laikipia, Hon. Millie Odhiambo MP Mbita Constituency & Narok Women Rep. Rebecca Tonkei at a press briefing where they condemned the disrespectful language towards Hon. Soipan Tuya. [Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard]

A group of women from the MAA community have condemned cyberbullying directed at President William Ruto's Defence Cabinet Secretary nominee Soipan Tuya.

MAA Women`s Umbrella Network condemned the online attacks directed to Tuya arguing that she is an astute leader who has served in constitutional offices and all this was based on her merits.

President Ruto moved Tuya to the Defence docket swapping her with Aden Duale as CS nominee for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

"Soipan Tuya has been an environment champion where she served diligently as CS Ministry of Environment and Forestry for close to two years, and we strongly believe in her ability to serve in the ministry of Defence as seen fit by the president of the Republic of Kenya," said the lobby group's chairperson Angeline Siparo.

Siparo rallied other organizations to stand to condemn the cyberbullying attacks meted out against women.

"Her personal life is a private affair and the statement being shared repeatedly on social media amounts to libel and slander and we condemn such in the strongest terms possible," she added.

Suba North Constituency MP Millie Odhiambo called on women not to fall into the trap of the gendered wars and instead hold to account their male counterparts on the same standards as men.

"Let us stop the cyberbullying, sexual innuendos and let talk about all these issues that stop women from coming to occupy spaces in top positions, but I'm happy because more women have been encouraged and are taking up the positions," said Odhiambo.

The MP defended Tuya's nomination to that Defence CS position arguing that she is qualified for the job.

"When it comes to women we use different standards, you don't look at my capabilities you don't look at whether I have corruption stain all you want to look at my morality," she added.