Women MPs Slam Gachagua Over Alleged Gender-Based Attacks on Women Leaders

The lawmakers, led by Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris, made the accusations during a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday.

The MPs said political disagreements should not degenerate into personal attacks based on a woman's gender, marital status, family or political affiliations.

The allegations come amid growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Gachagua facing criticism from some women leaders over remarks they say have targeted female politicians. Similar concerns have recently been raised by women in Murang'a and Kirinyaga counties.

“Our concern is the manner in which these disagreements have been expressed, particularly where women leaders, women spouses and women in vulnerable circumstances have been singled out, personally attacked, undermined or drawn into political confrontations,” the MPs said.

The lawmakers insisted that women leaders should be judged on their policies, decisions, leadership record and performance rather than their gender or personal circumstances.

“Women leaders should be challenged on their policies, performance and ideas—not their morality, sexuality or womanhood,” they said.

Women MPs raise Faith Gitau allegations

One of the incidents cited by the lawmakers involved Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau.

According to the MPs, Gitau has accused Gachagua of repeatedly using degrading and gendered insults against her, including allegedly referring to her as a “witch” and “malaya”.

The lawmakers said that, if made, such remarks would amount to gender-based humiliation rather than legitimate political criticism.

“Women leaders should be challenged on their policies, performance and ideas—not their morality, sexuality or womanhood,” the lawmakers said.

The MPs argued that political leaders can strongly criticise their opponents without attacking their dignity or using gendered language.

Mary Maingi incident also cited

The lawmakers also referred to an April 17 incident involving Mwea MP Mary Maingi during a burial ceremony in Mwea.

They alleged that Gachagua, while addressing mourners by phone, described Maingi as a “traitor of the community” and accused her of supporting the Government.

According to the MPs, the remarks contributed to a heated confrontation.

The lawmakers said Maingi had a constitutional right to make independent political choices and should not be personally humiliated because of her political position.

“Disagreements over her political position should be addressed through policy debate and facts rather than personal humiliation,” they said.

Murkomen's wife drawn into political dispute

The women MPs also criticised what they described as the involvement of the family of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in political exchanges.

They cited remarks made by Murkomen on August 23, when he criticised what he described as personal attacks involving the families of political leaders. KBC reported that Murkomen accused Gachagua of personal attacks on political families and urged a more objective political debate.

The MPs questioned why the wife of a political opponent should become part of a political contest.

“A woman is not a political weapon simply because she is married to a politician,” they said.

The lawmakers argued that spouses and other family members should not be dragged into political disputes simply because of their relationships with politicians.

MPs question Gachagua's visit to late Johana Ng'eno's family

The lawmakers also raised concerns about Gachagua's August 21 visit to the family of the late former MP Johana Ng'eno in Mogondo.

They acknowledged that offering condolences and support to a bereaved family was commendable but insisted that political leaders should exercise sensitivity when engaging grieving families.

The MPs said widows and bereaved relatives should have their privacy, wishes, dignity and autonomy respected.

“A widow's grief is not weakness, her home is not political property and her consent must never be treated as optional,” the statement said.

The lawmakers warned that bereaved families should not be turned into platforms for political confrontation.

Waiguru, Mbarire and Kihika remarks questioned

The women MPs also cited political exchanges involving Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.

They said remarks attributed to Gachagua concerning the three governors had been criticised by women leaders as disrespectful and demeaning.

The concerns are not new. In July, women leaders in Kirinyaga accused Gachagua of making sexist remarks about Waiguru, Kihika and Mbarire during political campaigns, particularly over comments concerning their use of lipstick and make-up.

The MPs said elected women leaders should be free to make independent political decisions without being labelled disloyal or subjected to gender-based intimidation.

“Political independence is not betrayal, and disagreement is not disloyalty,” they said.

Women MPs warn attacks could discourage women from politics

The lawmakers said the incidents they cited pointed to a wider problem in Kenya's political culture, where women leaders can become targets of personal attacks because of their political positions.

They warned that such an environment could discourage young women from seeking elective office.

“Women have a right to lead without being punished for being women,” the MPs said.

The lawmakers stressed that women should not be exempt from political scrutiny.

However, they said criticism should focus on a leader's policies, decisions, record and performance.

“But criticize the policy, challenge the decision, question the performance, do not attack the woman's dignity, gender, family or vulnerability,” they said.

What women MPs are demanding

The lawmakers called for several measures to address what they described as gender-based political attacks.

They demanded:

• A public acknowledgement and apology from Gachagua over remarks they said demeaned women leaders.
• An end to what they described as sexist, abusive, demeaning and gendered political language.
• Politicians to keep wives, children and other family members out of political battles.
• Respect for the privacy, dignity, autonomy and consent of bereaved women and families.
• Women leaders to be judged on their policies, decisions, leadership record and performance rather than their gender or marital status.
• A higher standard of political discourse ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Women MPs call for issue-based politics

The lawmakers said the controversy should not only be viewed as a dispute between Gachagua and individual politicians but as part of a broader debate about how women participate in Kenyan politics.

They warned that personal attacks could have a chilling effect on women seeking leadership positions.

“Women have a right to lead without being punished for being women,” they said.

The MPs called on political leaders to focus their campaigns on ideas, policies, accountability and solutions.

“Political competition should focus on ideas, policies, accountability and solutions rather than personal humiliation and gender-based attacks,” the lawmakers said.

The delegation included Migori County Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed, Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, Marsabit County Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, Teso South MP Mary Emase, Baringo County Woman Representative Florence Jematia, Trans Nzoia County Woman Representative Lilian Siyoi and Turkana County Woman Representative Cecilia Asinyen Ngitit.

Others were Vihiga County Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala, Siaya County Woman Representative Christine Ombaka, Eldas MP Maryanne Kitany, Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, Nyamira County Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi and Bomet County Woman Representative Lilian Toto.

The lawmakers pledged to remain united in defending the dignity, equality, autonomy and constitutional rights of Kenyan women.

Their statement comes as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 elections, with Gachagua and his Democracy for Citizens Party continuing political mobilisation across different parts of the country. Gachagua has himself recently raised concerns over threats and violence surrounding his political tours.