Kenyans have torn apart ODM-nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana after she defended the Kibera MP, Peter Orero, caught on video driving on the wrong side of the road.
After the video, taken by CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo, not many sided with the MP, but those who did included the senator, who seemingly blamed mental health for the matter.
She claimed that the schedule of a Member of Parliament was so demanding that the pressure would take a toll on anyone's mental health, alluding that the reaction from the legislator was a result of the pressure.
"Kenyans don’t understand how demanding political life can be — from constituency duties to assembly sessions and committee work," she stated on X on Sunday.
"The constant pressure takes a toll on mental health. That’s why my Mental Health Bill seeks to establish a desk to support leaders’ wellness."
However, the post sparked outrage from thousands of Kenyans who took to her comment section to have their thoughts heard, especially since the MP's driver had insulted Madowo in the video and asked him to take his grievances to President William Ruto.
Some of the arguments thrown about were that there were several other Kenyans, with jobs like doctors, nurses and even teachers, whose jobs often involve emergencies, but they are never excused to flout traffic laws.
"Doctors, Nurses and even teachers have even more pressure than MPs; do we also allow them to drive on the wrong side and put other road users in danger?? Are you reasoning or do you want to worship your party leader?" a Kenyan quipped.
Others, however, faulted the senator for using mental health loosely and using it as an excuse for the MP's behaviour, with one stating, "It’s good that a solid bill is on the way, but blaming this on mental health misses the point."
He added, "That kind of behaviour didn’t just appear overnight; it’s something they’ve grown comfortable doing, and that’s what makes it even more worrying."
"Even mental wellness requires discipline in society. Having stress, burnout, or a diagnosed mental condition does not excuse harmful or unlawful behaviour. Mental illness does not justify breaking laws, especially by those in leadership who should model self-regulation and responsibility," another aptly pointed out.
However, the senator was not the first to defend MP Orero following the video. Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai was among the first politicians to defend MP Orero, saying that Kenyans did not understand the crazy life of a politician.
You people don’t know the crazy life of a politician moving between constituency matters to the assembly and probably still supposed to even attend some committees elsewhere," he stated hours after the video went viral.
"From your hate of politicians, you attack Mwalimu Otero while not even trying to understand what he was going through. You really think representation and oversight are easy matters? You people need to carefully understand and not fall for the ignorant judgment of politicians by those desperate for attention. I have come to understand some of these things because I live them every day."
On Thursday, the MP was involved in a traffic altercation with Madowo in which he insulted him and arrogantly directed him to President William Ruto. It was only after shooting the video that he realised that the occupants of the vehicle were a Kenyan MP and his driver.
