New twist as Limuru club expels women in gender row

The simmering gender row at the Limuru Country Club has taken a new turn after the board of directors allegedly kicked out from its membership, three women who had objected to a by-law barring them from taking part in club elections.

Ms Caroline Ngugi, Ms Martha Vincent and Ms Rose Mambo on Thursday said that they had become victims of a male ego-driven culture at the club and would seek redress in court.

They said their only “crime” was the calling for a repeal of the by-law that was discriminatory and had blocked their participation in crucial elections at the golf club.

They have vowed to sue the board at the Constitutional Court next week for victimisation and discrimination.

Ms Mambo accused the board of directors of a conspiracy to “disenfranchise women members by taking away their voting rights and confining them to mere spectators during the club’s general meeting yet they “pay equal membership fees.”

The controversial clause states that only full men members with valid handicaps are allowed to take part in the meeting.

“Despite our objections to this blatantly unconstitutional and discriminatory by-law the board went ahead to pass it,” she said. “All attempts to amicably resolve the dispute and have the unconstitutional by-law repealed within the confines of the club regrettably attracted further harassment resulting in our expulsion,” Ms Mambo added.

In the circumstances, the three women asked the chairman and patron of the Kenya Golf Union to urgently intervene and restore the rule of law in the affairs of “the now runaway harassment.”

Their lawyer, Mr Philip Murgor, told journalists that the case was tainting the sport and was being brought about by individuals who believed they were above the law.

“We remain hopeful that we shall find a remedy in a court of law,” Mr Murgor said.