EALA MP Sankok on fire over 'Lovers Nest' sexist remark

EAL MP David Ole Sankok during the EALA MPs induction at Windsor hotel, Nairobi on December 8,2022 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Women rights groups are up in arms with EALA Member of Parliament David Ole Sankok for what they called a lack of respect for women.

Women from different groups in the country are requesting the legislator to apologize for the remarks he allegedly made while marketing his Narok resort.

They argue that his sentiments are meant to promote rape culture and are in bad taste in Maa community and the country.

In a now-viral video that has caught the attention of women's rights groups, Sankok is heard promoting his resort dubbed 'Lovers Nest', a tree house at Osim County Lodge in Narok.

In the video, the lawmaker is heard saying that once lovers are in the house and in the quest for sexual pleasure, the ladder is taken down, leaving no room for partners to "change their mind."

The activists are now demanding that Sankok issues a public apology, acknowledge his mistake, and pull down the video.

Olomal Loo Ntomonok, a network that brings together all women from the Maa-speaking counties said the sentiments encourage sexual violence against women.

Ntomonok also said video violates women's right to freedom and security, thus contravening Articles 27 and 29 of The Constitution of Kenya.

"The statement by the MP advertises the lovers nest as a private source of subjecting women to sexual violence, as well as denying women right to equal protection and treatment in economic, cultural and social spheres,'' read part of their statement.

"We condemn with the strongest terms possible the reckless sentiments by the MP as they are abusive, demeaning and degrading the value of women in this country,'' reads the statement.