Update 12:18: Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika on Wednesday, June 10, condemned Gender CS Margret Kobia for having double standards.
Kobia had condemned the Kirinyaga County Assembly for impeaching Governor Anne Waiguru and alleged that they did not value strong women leadership.
Kihika criticised the CS by stating; "Wondering if a similar letter from Kobia for Cecily Mbarire and I got lost in the mail? Could the Ministry of Gender not be aware that we are women too? Cess, perhaps it’s time for you and I to send Kobia our naked pictures then she might stand up for us against the bully too."
Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs CS Margaret Kobia on Wednesday morning, June 10, came under fire for defending Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, who was impeached by the county assembly on Tuesday.
In a statement, Kobia expressed her disappointment in the county assembly, alleging that they did not value strong women leadership.
"It is unfortunate that Waiguru's term is being cut short by an impeachment. This is an indicator that some of us do not value strong women leadership.
"We are disappointed that the governor is being impeached during the fight against COVID-19 which is negatively impacting on social-economic development of the county," Kobia stated.
Kobia highlighted that she supported the Common Women Agenda (COWA), adding that justice needed to be served.
It is this statement that did not bode well with a section of Kenyans who took to the comment section to express their views.
"Why didn’t you talk about it when Susan Kihika was ousted? Or Gender balancing applies to only one woman in Kenya? Only Waiguru?" Maureen asked.
"Where's the correlation?" Ngrato inquired.
"Being born female is not a disability," another weighed in.
"Some of you don't seem to value the fight against corruption," Tango stated.
"A "whole" CS telling people you can plunder the economy, dwell in corruption and master in impunity and incompetence but walk free," Jeff Kims commented.
"Corruption doesn't have gender. Bringing the gender card is unfortunate," Isaac Kisa wrote.
23 out of 33 Members of the County Assembly voted for the removal of Waiguru while only six abstained.
Other leaders who have come to the defense of Waiguru include; Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga.
"The travesty visited upon Kirinyaga Anne Waiguru is one of the many crooked ways that PhD machinations are using to pull her down and we strongly condemn it. My sister Anne, take heart, hold your head high and continue serving the people of Kirinyaga. You will be vindicated," Ngilu wrote on Twitter.
"As women leaders, we take great exception with the purported impeachment of Anne Waiguru. This travesty flies in the face of the law given the court order stopping proceedings," Wanga stated.
