Women leaders, rights groups want Mpuru Aburi to apologise over Mwangaza remarks

 

Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi. [Darlington Manyara, Standard]

A section of women parliamentarians and rights organisations have condemned remarks made by Tigania East Member of Parliament Mpuru Aburi against Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Aburi was captured on video verbally attacking Mwangaza “for not having children with her current husband.”

The attack came amid attempts to impeach her as the governor for the second time by Members of the County Assembly.

The MP’s remarks have irked several legislators, and women’s rights organizations, who now demand an apology.

Speaking on Spice FM on Friday, November 10, Suba North Member of Parliament Millicent Odhiambo condemned Aburi’s remarks saying it is wrong to want to strip someone of power because of their gender.

According to Odhiambo, the impeachment surrounding Mwangaza is less about administration, and more about gender discrimination.

“I believe the issue surrounding Kawira Mwangaza is not about administration. They are mainly gender discrimination issues; a lot of it has to do with the fact that the men who consider themselves the king in that county cannot understand how this woman has taken over Meru,” said Odhiambo.

The Suba North MP claimed the issues raised by the MCAs were not impeachable and could have been solved at the county level.

Women’s rights organisations have also condemned the remarks and attacks, terming them ‘derogatory.’

National Gender and Equality Commission came in defense of Mwangaza saying: “We strongly condemn the disgraceful and offensive comments made by Mpuru Aburi. Such remarks are not only deeply inappropriate but also perpetuate a culture of disrespect and violence against women. Governor Mwangaza and all women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The Kenya Women's Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) now demands an apology from Aburi.

According to KEWOPA, his remarks are not only reckless but undermine the seriousness of violence against women in Kenya.

The association called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to ban the “Kibiri movement” which is ran by the Tigania East Aburi as it undermines the rights of women.

“We call upon the Inspector General to conduct immediate and thorough investigations into this incident and ensure justice is served,” wrote KEWOPA.