Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia under fire over remarks on women over 30

Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia under fire over remarks on women over 30

Gatundu North Member of Parliament Elijah Kururia has come under heavy criticism following remarks that many Kenyans have described as offensive and insensitive towards women over the age of 30.

The comments, shared on social media, quickly ignited public anger and sparked a national conversation on leadership, respect and women’s rights.

In the post, Kururia questioned why some women above 30 do not have children and made references to the use of emergency contraception.

Many online users interpreted the remarks as intrusive and demeaning, arguing that they trivialised women’s reproductive health and personal life choices.

“It’s a reckless statement, as every human being has a right to bodily autonomy. People have the power to choose whether to have sex, give birth or not,” one user wrote on X. “His simplicity in critical thinking is a sight to behold,” another added.

Critics said the comments crossed a moral and ethical line, particularly coming from an elected leader expected to uphold dignity and responsibility in public discourse.

The remarks spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing condemnation from women and men alike.

Numerous users said they felt insulted and attacked, while others accused the MP of promoting harmful stereotypes and undermining the complex realities faced by women in modern society.

Several Kenyans pointed out that Kururia’s comments failed to acknowledge the silent struggles many women face, including infertility, medical complications, delayed motherhood due to economic pressures, or the personal choice to remain child-free.

Others noted that reproductive health is a sensitive and deeply personal issue that should never be reduced to mockery or careless commentary.

Political commentator Pauline Njoroge was among the prominent voices to publicly condemn the remarks, describing them as a worrying sign of declining standards within Parliament.

“Today, remarks like those made by Elijah Kururia force us to confront how low our nation has fallen. When a parliamentarian makes light of women’s bodies, health and life choices, he undermines not only women, but the dignity of Parliament itself,” she said.

Njoroge added that when a lawmaker speaks lightly about women’s health and reproductive decisions, it reflects not humour but a lack of empathy, maturity and respect for the people they represent. She stressed that leaders must communicate with sensitivity, particularly on issues affecting millions of citizens.

The controversy escalated further after Kururia reportedly issued threats towards Bishop Muthee Kiengei following a sermon in which the cleric criticised moral decay and poor conduct among political leaders.

The exchange intensified online debate and raised additional concerns over the MP’s conduct, triggering renewed calls for accountability, higher leadership standards and respect for women.