An association of women MPs now wants Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to resign following claims of assaulting women representative Rachel Shebesh.
Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) has said it will institute criminal proceedings against Dr Kidero in court should the governor stay put.
“We want to condemn in the strongest words possible the physical assault by Dr Kidero against Hon Shebesh yesterday (Friday).
“We are calling on him to resign following his action or risk criminal proceedings that shall be instituted against him,” said Kewopa chairperson Cecily Mbarire during a news conference in Nairobi Saturday.
Ms Mabrire, who is the Runyenjes MP, said Dr Kidero cannot remain in office after his misconduct.
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) chairperson Cecily Mbarire (centre) during a news conference in Nairobi September 7, 2013 where she called for the resignation of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero over claims of assaulting women representative Rachel Shebesh. EMMA NZIOKA
The Nairobi Governor has found himself on the spot after he was seen slapping the MP in an NTV video at his City Hall office.
Police have already launched investigations into the claims of assault.
CODE OF ETHICS
But Kewopa has vowed to move to court to seek the removal of the governor after accusing him of contravening the code of ethics.
“Dr Kidero chose to use violence as a means of tackling an issue and as women MPs, we cannot and will not stand for this,” Ms Mbarire said.
Mandera County Women Representative Fathia Mahbub described as “unfortunate and unbelievable” Dr Kidero’s action.
“It was very unfortunate and unbelievable. There is no justification at all for anyone to take law into his own hands,” she said.
Her Nyeri counterpart Priscilla Nyokabi called on women leaders to rally behind Ms Shebesh as a way of denouncing violence against women.
“Statistics show that 45 per cent of women in this country experience either physical or sexual violence and Dr Kidero’s actions yesterday (Friday) are a strong pointer why these figures are taking long to reduce.
“I want to call on all women MPs to keep politics out of this issue and rally behind Hon Shebesh as a form of unity against violence,” she said.
