Nominated MCA Habiba Hussein stepped into the limelight on Tuesday, March 1, 2020, after losing her seat for absenteeism.
As per the findings of an investigation by the Powers and Privileges Committee of the Nairobi County Assembly, Hussein had missed plenary sessions and committee meetings for two years with no explanation given on the same.
However, Jubilee Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, stepped forward to explain the conspicuous disappearance of the MCA. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, March 10, Habiba's disappearance owed to a series of medical complications.
The nominated MCA had undergone a difficult and complicated pregnancy for the better part of 2018. She delivered a baby girl, Shadia, but the child was born with a heart condition that deteriorated despite efforts by medics. Shadia passed away days after her birth on November 23, 2018.
"From the information and records in my possession, Hon. Habiba carried a challenging and complicated pregnancy to term, and delivered a baby girl Shadia, through a caesarean procedure, on November 21, 2018," said Omanga adding, "Unfortunately, the baby was born with heart complications that are suspected to have arisen from the treatment the mother was undergoing during the pregnancy."
The loss of the child had a negative impact on Habiba's condition. Throughout the year 2019, Habiba had been in and out of hospitals under the care of a number of doctors.
"Nothing is as devastating to any mother as the loss of a child, and the death of Baby Shadia only aggravated the illness of Hon. Habiba. Ever since, Hon. Habiba has been admitted to hospital severally, the first time being barely three months after delivery," stated Omanga.
The senator provided documents from the hospitals that Habiba had sought treatment. These included The Nairobi Hospital and the Aga Khan University Hospital.
Senator Millicent Omanga demanded accountability from those who had brought the question of Habiba's whereabouts to the floor of the house.
She stated that the legislators failed to conduct due diligence on the same and simply wanted to find a scapegoat from their own scandals.
"It, therefore, breaks my heart, as a mother and a woman, when people choose to politicize the pain and agony that Hon. Habiba has undergone in the last two years, simply because they have been implicated in stealing bursary funds meant for poor and orphaned children. To attack a woman, for simply being a woman, is not only unacceptable but almost Satanic," she asserted.
The legislator demanded an unconditional apology from Kitisuru Ward MCA Alvin Palapala for bringing the issue to the floor of the house.
"As the Nairobi City County nominated senator, I demand an unconditional apology from the Kitisuru Ward MCA, Hon. Alvin Palala, and his associates for degrading, disrespecting and demeaning women, especially at their most painful and vulnerable time. Let Hon. Palapala and his ilk refund all the monies they have stolen from innocent orphans and poor children, and keep women out of their shenanigans," she concluded.
