- Muslim women in Nakuru County have joined those supporting Governor Susan Kihika despite her absence from office.
- They criticized Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche, who recently urged Nakuru MCAs to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
- According to the muslim women, differences between the county boss and the senator might set a bad precedent for women's leadership
A section of Muslim women in Nakuru county has hit out at Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche over her sentiments regarding Governor Susan Kihika following her pro-longed maternity leave.
During the Eid ul Fitr festivities held at Shabab grounds, the women, spearheaded by social justice advocate Maimuna Mwinyi and Hawa Ibrahim, stated that Governor Kihika is entitled to take maternity leave as stipulated by the legislation.
Muslim women from Nakuru stand up for Susan Kihika
They similarly supported the governor regarding her absence, noting that she conveyed a clear message to the county and entrusted her duties to her deputy, David Kones.
" numerous individuals are turning her absence into a political issue; however, the law allows for such leaves. It’s irresponsible and immoral to undermine her position as a female leader," stated Hawa.
She stated that Senator Karanja, being a female leader, ought to take the lead in advocating for women's rights, including those in positions of power, instead of dividing them and undermining the necessary unity.
Maimuna expressed similar feelings but acknowledged that the difficulty stemmed from inadequate communication from the governor’s office regarding her location to the general public.
“I think the issue arose from the lack of coordinated communication from her staff that the public have legitimate expectation to be answerable,” she said.
Did Susan Kihika help Tabitha Keroche in 2022?
However, the women leaders hit out at the senator who has been leading an onslaught against the county boss following her prolonged absence from office. They claimed she was introduced into Nakuru politics by the governor, who held her hand during the 2022 General Election campaigns.
“She was literally under the tutelage of Susan Kihika to do all the campaign processes, and it's sad how she has turned her back on her and bitten the hand that supported,” one of the Muslim women leaders claimed.
The Muslim woman also stated that the conflict amongst female leaders is establishing a negative example for women's leadership and might significantly undermine the opportunities for additional women aiming to engage in competitive politics, particularly within single-member districts.
A week ago, Senator Karanja urged the Nakuru County Assembly members to initiate impeachment procedures against Governor Kihika. He alleged that she had abandoned her responsibilities for longer than what is permitted under statutory maternity leave regulations.
Women MPs defend Susan Kihika
Earlier, Ainoti.co.ke reported that a group of women Members of Parliament had come out to defend the Nakuru county boss following concerns over her prolonged absence.
The women MPs, under the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) umbrella, noted that attacks that were being targeted at Kihika were unwarranted.
They argued that her stay in the United States of America (USA) was not self-imposed.
Story by Elijah Cherutich, Ainoti.co.ke correspondent.
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