Kihika Condemns Gachagua’s ‘Sexist’ Remarks Against Women Governors
She said the Mt Kenya region had produced some of Kenya’s most accomplished female governors and argued that their refusal to support Gachagua politically did not justify personal attacks against them.
By Suleiman Mbatiah
Women leaders have hit out at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what they termed disrespect towards women, accusing him of sexism and misogyny.
Gachagua had claimed that Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire used dancing and makeup to influence male voters while campaigning for the United Democratic Alliance candidate in the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
He alleged that President William Ruto sent the governors to Ol Kalou to persuade and “tempt” male voters, singling out their dancing and use of lipstick during the campaigns.
Kihika, Waiguru and Mbarire were among a record seven women elected as governors in the 2022 General Election, up from three in 2017.
Kihika dismissed the remarks as sexist, shallow and rooted in what she called backward reasoning.
She further described Gachagua as a coward and a loser, accusing him of repeatedly targeting women leaders. She added that the women he attacked were also wives, mothers, daughters and sisters.
“What kind of leader is this? What kind of nonsense is this? When his wife Dorcas applies lipstick, is she trying to attract and confuse men?” Kihika said in a Facebook post.
She accused Gachagua of repeatedly targeting elected women who have remained politically aligned with President Ruto. She said women leaders deserved respect regardless of their political affiliations and would not be silenced through insults or attacks on their character.
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina also criticized Gachagua, accusing him of reducing political debate to comments about the appearance, age and marital status of women leaders.
Betty, who referred to Gachagua as a one-term MP and a “quarter-term deputy president”, said political differences should be addressed through mature debate rather than personal attacks.
She pointed to the governors’ records in public service, noting that Mbarire served three terms as a Member of Parliament before her election as Embu governor.
Waiguru served as a Cabinet secretary during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration and is serving her second term as Kirinyaga governor. Kihika previously served as Nakuru County Assembly speaker, Nakuru senator and Senate majority whip before she was elected governor.
“How can you so casually dismiss women who have earned their positions through years of public service and leadership?” Betty asked.
She said Gachagua should challenge the governors on their political positions and performance instead of questioning their motives based on their appearance.
Betty also urged the former deputy president to respect women leaders and other people’s spouses, saying his previous position required him to conduct himself with dignity.
She said the Mt Kenya region had produced some of Kenya’s most accomplished female governors and argued that their refusal to support Gachagua politically did not justify personal attacks against them.
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