Sex crime: MPs demand action
Members of the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association address media on sexual violence at Parliament on March 25, 2015. They said their male colleagues accused of sexual harassment should be investigated and prosecuted, if evidence is found. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |
What you need to know:
- Women leaders said that sexual harassment was widespread, even in Parliament.
- The MPs said they were closely following the case against their Imenti Central colleague.
Women leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into the rape claims against Imenti Central MP Gideon Mwiti.
The women, mainly from the National Assembly, said at a news conference that sexual harassment was widespread, even in Parliament.
A woman has accused Mr Mwiti of assaulting and raping her in his private office in Nairobi, where she says she had gone to discuss business with him.
The MP, who has denied the claims, faces probable criminal proceedings, should investigations find him culpable.
On Wednesday, the women MPs cited cases of violence against women that occurred in Parliament or affected its members such as Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo, Taita-Taveta Woman Representative Joyce Lay and Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh.
Ms Odhiambo was assaulted in the House on December 18 last year; Ms Shebesh was slapped by Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Ms Lay was sexually harassed by her male colleague while on a visit to Japan with the President.
CLOSELY FOLLOWING
Speaking under the banner of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) at Parliament, the MPs said they were closely following the case against their Imenti Central colleague.
Should there be evidence against him, he should be charged, they said.
“Women have made great strides against violence perpetrated against them and we are not going to allow a few individuals to take us back,” said Kewopa chairperson Cecily Mbarire.
She urged Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to ensure perpetrators of sexual harassment are brought to book.
To safeguard their safety in Parliament, the MPs said they would petition National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to establish a gender centre, saying harassment of female MPs by their male counterparts within the House precincts was rampant.
They also pushed for a sexual harassment policy and investigations against male MPs accused of sexual harassment.
Ms Mbarire also asked President Kenyatta to sign the Prevention against Domestic Violence Bill, which Parliament passed recently, into law.
The Bill prescribes heavy penalties against perpetrators of sexual violence.
