Women in West Pokot protest over Senator’s remarks

A section of women from West Pokot County have protested over the area senator Prof John Lonyangapuo’s recent defamatory statements concerning women during Jamhuri day celebrations on Monday.

During the commemoration at Makutano primary school, senator Lonyangapuo took to the podium and criticized a group of women who were wearing branded Jubilee dresses  “Warembo na Uhuru’ accusing them of heckling him.

“You should keep quiet and allow us to give our speeches. You should be ashamed that the uniform you have put on was bought by a man who is not your husband,” said a seemingly irked Lonyangapuo.

The women took to the streets of Makutano town to protest, carrying placards and chanting anti-senator songs while condemning Lonyangapuo, saying they didn’t expect such a  statement from a learned leader.

“You have provoked West Pokot women and you should respect all women. He doesn’t have respect for our husbands. We will vote for Kachapin because he respects women, he has a  loose tongue and we will not waste our votes on such leaders,” said Chepokuo Lokorkilim.

Lonyangapuo said that women should respect the national day celebrations and blamed the women for calling themselves ‘Warembo na Uhuru na Kachapin’ and that he was not a fool not to have brought women adorned in KANU attire.

Led by West Pokot Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Mrs Mary Mariach, the women termed the statements made by the area senator as ‘backward’ and degrades the gains made by the women who have been fighting for leadership positions as well as their rights in the community.

“We bought the jubilee attire with our own money, he abused us in front of our children and our parents and that is very disrespectful. We will end up in court to fight for our rights,” said Mariach. Mariach challenged the senator to be a responsible leader who respects women.

However in a quick response, immediately after the women expressed their anger, the supporters allied to senator Lonyangapuo led by Meshack Kakuko, defended the move by the senator saying he said the truth and accused the women of misquoting the leader over his remarks. “The senator said the truth and there is no need for him to apologize,” said Kakuko.

Kakuko said that women in West Pokot shouldn’t be used by leaders during the coming general elections. They blamed the women for being impolite and asked all leaders in the county to conduct peaceful campaigns.