Apologise to us, women tell Kabogo

Women have demanded an apology from Kiambu Governor William Kabogo for allegedly saying unmarried women above 35 were not fit for public office.

The Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation asked the governor to apologise for making “demeaning” utterances about women or face a demonstration.

Maendeleo chairperson Rukia Subow said it was wrong for a leader of a county government to make such “discriminatory” statements.

“All Kenyans should be allowed to serve their people, married or unmarried.

Marital status should not be used to stop women from serving fellow Kenyans,” she said.

Ms Subow added that the governor’s statement could influence absorption of women into county and national public jobs.

“Leadership is about brains not skirts,” she said.

She said the governor should not disown his statement.

“We are giving him a chance to apologise.

If he does not then he should brace himself for a big protest by women,” said Ms Subow.

However, Mr Kabogo has since said he was misquoted.

DISRESPECT

Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a has also accused the governor of disrespect for single women.

Speaking after recording a statement with the CID over claims that she incited traders to demonstrate against Kiambu County levies, Ms Ng'ang’a said being single did not mean she lacked family values.

(READ: Thika traders say protestors looted their businesses)

“I refuse to be intimidated by anyone and as long as the county government continues to impose unreasonable charges and taxes on my people,” she added.

She reported to the Thika CID offices accompanied by five colleagues and her advocate Mbiyu Kamau and proceeded to record a statement regarding her role in the demonstrations against new levies by the Kiambu county government.

A defiant Ms Ng’ang’a later said she was unapologetic on her stand against the levies.

She vowed to mobilise residents to hold more protests if Governor Kabogo fails to “listen to the people.”

The legislator was escorted by colleagues Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North), Munyua Waititu (Juja), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) and Mburu Kahangara (Lari) and a her followers.

BIGGER DEMONSTRATION

“I refuse to be intimidated by anyone and as long as the county government continues to impose unreasonable charges and taxes on my people, I will organise an even bigger demonstration,” Ms Ng’ang’a declared outside the CID offices.

At the same time, the MP launched a scathing attack on Mr Kabogo accusing him of disrespecting women especially single mothers.

Referring to a statement the governor made over the weekend asking residents not to elect unmarried people in future, she accused Mr Kabogo of getting personal on matters affecting the public.

“I fear and love God and I know that even some of those talking about these things have no value for human life,” she quipped.

“Leaders should not get personal; when I oppose the county levies I am not attacking the governor in person.

Why should he tell us not to cross his path?” she posed.

Saying she feared for her life, Ms Ng’ang’a, however, declared she would continue to fight for the people who elected her overwhelmingly despite her marital status.

DEFEND THE PEOPLE

Mr Ichung’wah, Mr Munyua, Mr Kigo and Mr Kahangara said MPs will continue to defend the people of Kiambu from the “oppressive” county laws.

“Respect the women of Kiambu and the people who made the mistake of voting for you,” the Kikiyu MP told Mr Kabogo.

Mr Kigo said the people of Kiambu would not allow anyone to dictate terms to them and added that the county government should toe their line or be dissolved.

The leaders later marched through the town streets and addressed an impromptu rally near the Christina Wangari Gardens.

The governor caused a storm at the weekend when he said that a person who cannot run a family should not be trusted to lead people, which was seen as a thinly veiled attack on Ms Ng’ang’a.