Cecily Mbabire hits out at Siaya Governor over Uhuru's portrait statement

Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire addresses a press conference in Nairobi on Friday, February 05 2016 (PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD)

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) wants Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga to apologise over his recent call on CORD governors to pull down President Uhuru Kenyatta's portraits.

KEWOPA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, yesterday hit out at the Governors' call, urging him to cease from 'petty' politics and instead focus on constructive issues.

"This is an honest call I am making to the Governor, he should either apologise in public or resign from office so as to pave way for serious people who are ready to serve Kenyans devoid of divisive politics," said Mbarire when she presided over donation of feminine hygienic equipment targeting women in 10 counties by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in Nairobi.

Mbarire said failure for the Governor to make a public apology, KEWOPA will lobby for the Council of Governors (CoG) to take action against him.

"As a Parliamentary Women Association group, we cannot sit here and wait to hear the Governor utter some statements that in the eyes of Kenyans, diminishes the integrity of the President. We are in Parliament for the public good and those who utter such statements should account for their actions," she said.

She advised Governor Rasanga to wait until 2017 period when he will campaign for his preferred candidate who will replace Uhuru Kenyatta, but for now, "he should accept and move on".

"It will be disrespectful of the Governor to demean Jubilee Government. He should instead aim at treating the current Administration as he would want to see CORD treated in power," she added.

KEWOPA's reaction follows a statement by Governor Rasanga asking his counterparts in 24 counties controlled by Cord to see to it that President Uhuru Kenyatta's portraits are replaced with those of opposition chief Raila Odinga.

Mr Rasanga said doing so would confirm their support for the Cord leader.