Women Members of Parliament have accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of engaging in what they described as a pattern of gender-based political attacks against female leaders and women linked to his political rivals.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, August 25, the legislators cited several recent political confrontations involving Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, Mwea MP Mary Maingi and Governors Anne Waiguru, Cecily Mbarire and Susan Kihika.
They also raised concern over references to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s wife and Gachagua’s recent interaction with the family of the late MP Johana Ng’eno.
The women leaders said political disagreement was legitimate in a democracy but argued that criticism should focus on policies, performance and decisions rather than gender, family relationships or personal circumstances.
“Our concern is not that Mr. Gachagua disagrees with women leaders. Political disagreement is a legitimate part of democracy,” the MPs said.
“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.”
Among the incidents cited was an alleged verbal attack against Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau.
According to the statement, Gitau has accused Gachagua of repeatedly directing degrading and gendered insults at her, including referring to her using words the MPs said were intended to attack her dignity and credibility.
The legislators said elected women should be challenged on their performance in office rather than subjected to attacks touching on their sexuality, morality or gender.
“Women leaders should be challenged on their policies, performance and ideas – not their morality, sexuality or womanhood,” the statement said.
The MPs also highlighted an April 17 incident involving Mwea MP Mary Maingi during a burial 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.
The women legislators argued that Maingi, like any other elected leader, was entitled to make independent political choices without being subjected to public humiliation.
“Challenge her record, challenge her decisions, challenge her policies – but do not use public platforms to humiliate a woman leader,” they said.
The statement also referred to comments made by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen on August 23, in which he complained that his wife had repeatedly been dragged into his political disagreements with Gachagua.
The MPs questioned why spouses should become part of disputes between political rivals.
“A woman is not a political weapon simply because she is married to a politician,” they said, urging politicians to leave spouses, children and other family members out of political battles.
They further cited recent political exchanges involving Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
According to the MPs, remarks attributed to Gachagua during political exchanges in late July and early August had drawn criticism from women leaders who viewed them as disrespectful and demeaning.
The lawmakers stressed that governors and other women holding elective office remained accountable to the public but said such scrutiny should be based on their records and performance.
“Political independence is not betrayal, and disagreement is not disloyalty,” they said.
The MPs also referred to Gachagua’s August 21 visit to the family of the late Johana Ng’eno, where he reportedly visited the former legislator’s gravesite and pledged support towards construction of a mausoleum.
While acknowledging that condolences and assistance to bereaved families were welcome, the lawmakers said political leaders should respect the privacy, consent and autonomy of widows and other immediate family members.
“A widow’s grief is not weakness, her home is not political property and her consent must never be treated as optional,” they said.
The MPs said the individual cases pointed to a broader problem in Kenya’s political culture, where women risk being subjected to personal humiliation because of political disagreement.
They rejected the suggestion that they wanted women leaders shielded from criticism, saying women in public office should be held to the same standards of accountability as men.
“But criticize the policy, challenge the decision, question the performance — do not attack the woman’s dignity, gender, family or vulnerability,” the statement said.
The MPs demanded a public acknowledgement and apology from Gachagua over remarks they believe have demeaned women leaders or dragged spouses and families into political disputes.
They also called for an immediate end to what they described as sexist, abusive and gendered political language, while demanding that wives, children and bereaved families be kept out of political confrontations.
The delegation included Migori County Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed, Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, Marsabit County Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, Teso South MP Mary Emase, Baringo County Woman Representative Florence Jematia, Trans Nzoia County Woman Representative Lilian Siyoi, Turkana County Woman Representative Cecilia Asinyen Ngitit, Vihiga County Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala, Siaya County Woman Representative Christine Ombaka, Eldas MP Maryanne Kitany, Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, Nyamira County Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi and Bomet County Woman Representative Lilian Toto.
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