The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has called for the immediate arrest of Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, over what they termed as hate speech.
Speaking on Sunday, FIDA executive director, Teresa Omondi, urged the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, and his Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) counterpart, George Kinoti, to take immediate action.
FIDA is seeking to have the Governor arrested for contravening Chapter Six of the constitution by engaging in hate speech.
Teresa was speaking in response to the dramatic incident that took place during the Madaraka day celebrations held at Pumwani between Sonko and Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
“It was wrong. He is a public officer and should not engage in such. Unfortunately, there is a continuous disregard of Chapter Six by some leaders,” she affirmed.
The Governor had come out guns blazing after Passaris complained about delays in city projects that allegedly stemmed from stalling tactics on Sonko's end, whom she had accused of ignoring her calls.
“I will pick your calls when I am free. I am not your husband that I should be picking your calls the time you want,” Sonko retorted in response.
Passaris walked out of the event to deafening boos and heckling but Kenyans on social media soon voiced their opinion, heavily criticising Sonko over what they referred to as a disrespectful outburst.
FIDA agreed with most of the netizens who categorized Sonko's words as gender-based violence, thereby warranting his arrest.
Passaris has since responded to the incident, stating that the Governor had gone beyond what is acceptable from leaders meant to set an example.
“As a woman who is fighting for other women to be empowered, I felt he went a bit low knowing that he knows my husband,” she remarked.
