A move by Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Professor Margaret Kobia to defend impeached Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has drawn mixed reactions.
In an unsigned statement, the CS terms the impeachment as an unfortunate incident and a strong indicator that some Kenyans don’t value strong women leadership.
“We are disappointed that the Governor is being impeached during a fight against COVID-19 which is negatively impacting on the social-economic development of the country,” the statement read in part.
She said she supports the Common Women Agenda (COWA) demand that due diligence followed and justice served. COWA is a caucus that champions for a collective women political and economic empowerment agenda.
What appears to be a well-choreographed approach by a section of women leaders to defend Governor Waiguru further raises questions as to why the CS has been selective in defending fellow women.
Homabay Women MP Gladys Wanga terms the impeachment as a travesty that flies in the face of the law given the court order stopping proceedings.
“In fact, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe should quarantine County Assembly of Kirinyaga members who slept in a single room in violation of COVID-19 rules,” she fumed in a twitter post.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari was for a different opinion. She said she saw the statement fly around WhatsApp groups and didn’t take it seriously until she saw it on the official ministry’s social media accounts.
“I am totally disappointed that the CS chooses which women to defend and which not to. Quite unfortunate,” the MP decried.
A top Kenyan TV political journalist who sought anonymity wondered why CS Prof. Kobia didn’t go to the rescue of Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika who was ousted as the Senate Majority Chief Whip and replaced by Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata.
“Waiguru has been riddled with controversies in all her public service life and always hide under the gender card to whip emotions. It’s time to smoke her out,” the journalist stated.