Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing fresh political pressure after a section of women MPs accused him of targeting women leaders with personal and gender-based attacks.
The lawmakers, led by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, said political differences should not be turned into personal attacks based on a woman’s gender, family, marital status or political affiliations.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings, the MPs said women leaders should instead be judged on their policies, decisions and performance.
“Our concern is the manner in which these disagreements have been expressed, particularly where women leaders and women spouses have been singled out, personally attacked, undermined or drawn into political confrontations,” the MPs said.
The lawmakers cited several incidents which they said pointed to a growing pattern in Gachagua’s political engagements.
They singled out Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, who they said had accused Gachagua of repeatedly using degrading language against her, including allegedly referring to her as a “witch” and “malaya”.
“Women leaders should be challenged on their policies, performance and ideas, not their morality, sexuality or womanhood,” the MPs said.
The lawmakers also revisited an April 17 incident involving Mwea MP Mary Maingi during a burial ceremony in Mwea.
They alleged that Gachagua, while addressing mourners by phone, referred to Maingi as a “traitor of the community” and accused her of supporting the government.
The MPs said Maingi had a constitutional right to make her own political choices and should not be subjected to personal humiliation because of her political position.
They further accused Gachagua of dragging the family of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen into political exchanges.
The lawmakers cited remarks by Murkomen on August 23 in which he complained that Gachagua had repeatedly brought his wife into political discussions.
“A woman is not a political weapon simply because she is married to a politician,” they said.
The MPs also raised concerns over Gachagua’s August 21 visit to the family of the late former MP Johana Ng’eno in Mogondo.
While acknowledging that visiting a bereaved family was commendable, they said political leaders must respect the privacy, dignity and wishes of widows and grieving families.
“A widow’s grief is not weakness, her home is not political property and her consent must never be treated as optional,” they said.
The lawmakers also mentioned political exchanges involving Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
They said women leaders should be free to make independent political decisions without being branded disloyal or subjected to gendered attacks.
“Political independence is not betrayal, and disagreement is not disloyalty,” the MPs said.
The latest criticism adds to growing scrutiny of Gachagua’s political rhetoric as he positions himself and his Democracy for the Citizens Party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President has also been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission over remarks allegedly made at different political gatherings, including in Vihiga, Kisii and Meru. He has, however, declined to honour the summons, citing a planned foreign trip.
The women MPs said their concerns went beyond Gachagua and reflected the wider treatment of women in Kenyan politics.
They warned that continued personal attacks could discourage women from seeking elective positions.
They demanded that Gachagua apologise for remarks and conduct they said had demeaned women leaders or dragged women spouses and families into political battles.
“But criticise the policy, challenge the decision, question the performance, do not attack the woman’s dignity, gender, family or vulnerability,” the MPs said.
