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Kenya election: sexist language shows that patriarchy refuses to give way

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March 21, 2022

Kenya election: sexist language shows that patriarchy refuses to give way

Source: Daily Maverick

In December 2020, a leading Kenyan political party official, Edwin Sifuna, made vulgar remarks against a woman member of parliament. While campaigning for their political allies in a by-election, Sifuna said the woman is “not attractive enough to rape”.

In January this year, controversial bishop David Gakuyo, who is seeking election as a member of parliament, made demeaning remarks about two women politicians. He accused them of seeking votes while “swinging bare behinds”.

Sifuna and Gakuyo later made half-hearted apologies through the police after complaints were lodged about the language they used. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a government agency tasked with taming the excesses of politicians, was largely silent.

Click here to read the full article published by Daily Maverick on 17 March 2022.

Resource type
Region
Author
Maina wa Mutonya
Publisher
Daily Maverick
Publication year
2022
Focus areas

In December 2020, a leading Kenyan political party official, Edwin Sifuna, made vulgar remarks against a woman member of parliament. While campaigning for their political allies in a by-election, Sifuna said the woman is “not attractive enough to rape”.

In January this year, controversial bishop David Gakuyo, who is seeking election as a member of parliament, made demeaning remarks about two women politicians. He accused them of seeking votes while “swinging bare behinds”.

Sifuna and Gakuyo later made half-hearted apologies through the police after complaints were lodged about the language they used. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a government agency tasked with taming the excesses of politicians, was largely silent.

Click here to read the full article published by Daily Maverick on 17 March 2022.

Resource type
Region
Author
Maina wa Mutonya
Publisher
Daily Maverick
Publication year
2022
Focus areas