Women MPs reveal abuse faced in office

Nearly all women politicians say they have encountered threats and abuse at some point while in office.

Yesterday, women lawmakers in Parliament and in county assemblies recounted the trials they have endured over the past four years.

Some said they had received death threats, suffered sexual harassment or been forced to bribe colleagues to pass privately sponsored bills.

Speaking in Mombasa on the sidelines of the legislative summit, most women lawmakers said they felt "less safe" as the country heads to the August 8 elections.

Nominated Senator Martha Wangari said the mistreatment or discrimination was not unique to women Members of the County Assembly, adding that even nominated women senators faced similar challenges.

"We have even been called 'bonga points'. People are yet to understand that all Members of Parliament and MCAs are equal regardless of how they come to the House," said Ms Wangari.

Nominated women MCAs said counties were yet to allocate them office space and that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission had not factored them in for mileage claim budgets.

"It has been very difficult for nominated MCAs to push through their bills," said nominated MCA Rachael Omollo (Busia).

She said a large number of nominated female MCAs were openly harassed for sexual favours while lobbying for bills.