Outrage in Isiolo: Women leaders slam Governor Guyo's sexist tirade against Senator Dullo
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo.
What you need to know:
- Isiolo governor faces backlash over sexist remarks; women leaders demand apology and sanctions.
- Women leaders vow boycott, legal action, and ethics investigation over governor misogynistic outburst.
The political fights between Isiolo governor Abdi Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo have escalated, with women leaders demanding sanctions for the county chief's chauvinist attacks.
The women leaders have also called for a boycott of all Mr Guyo’s official meetings until he issues a public apology. During Madaraka Day celebrations at Oldonyiro, Mr Guyo accused the senator of “keeping a young man in Nanyuki at a salary of Sh100,000”.
“Mimi nataka kuambia Seneta Fatuma, umeweka lifestyleexpensive ya kufuga vijana, pambana na hali yako. Pesa ya Isiolo huwezi patiwa, pesa ya Isiolo ni ya development, sio ya kupatia mtu kufuga vijana (I want to tell Senator Fatuma, you have set an expensive lifestyle of having relationships with young men, deal with your situation. You cannot be given Isiolo money; Isiolo money is for development, not for sustaining young men),” he said.
“Kuna kijana analipwa shilingi elfu mia moja kila mwezi na anakaa hapa Nanyuki. Sasa huyu mama kila asubuhi ako na hasira ni kama huyu kijana hafanyi kazi mzuri. Watu wa Oldonyiro, mko na kijana mzuri wa kusaidia huyu kijana mwingine? A young man in Nanyuki is being paid Sh100,000 every month. But this woman is always moody and angry every morning. It appears the young man is not doing his job well.”
Now, women have vowed to take legal action and report to ethics bodies if the governor does not retract his remarks. Mr Guyo hit out at Ms Dullo for her persistent criticism of the county government over alleged misappropriation of funds, corruption and abuse of office. The governor has been accused of crossing the red line by making defamatory statements and misogynistic claims.
The remarks have drawn criticism from Gender Watch executive director Grace Lolim, human rights defender Anab Kassim and women senators. A statement read by Asmai Hamo, on behalf of Isiolo women leaders and professionals termed Mr Guyo’s remarks derogatory and disrespectful.
“The utterances by the governor targeted at Senator Fatuma Dullo, were not only offensive but also an affront to the dignity, integrity and representation of women in public service. The statements are a blatant violation of ethical leadership and a manifestation of deep-rooted gender bias,” it read.
The women leaders vowed to pursue the matter to ensure the governor is held accountable. “We demand an immediate and unequivocal public apology to Senator Dullo and the women of Isiolo County for the demeaning remarks. We also call upon oversight bodies, including the county assembly and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, to initiate investigations and take appropriate disciplinary action,” Ms Hamo said.
Ms Kassim said the sexist remarks were detrimental to Isiolo’s efforts to empower women political leaders. “Senator Fatuma Dullo is the first woman in Isiolo to ascend to such an elective position. The remarks coming from a governor must be condemned with the strongest terms possible,” she said.
Ms Lolim said the remarks were an attack on women leadership. National Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Rehema Jaldesa, in a statement on her Facebook Page, faulted Mr Guyo. “When a governor reduces a senator's constitutional oversight role into a product of sexual frustration, it reveals far more about himself than her ...”
The Kenya Women Senators Association (Kewosa), in a statement, said Mr Guyo should be declared unfit to hold office under Chapter six of the Constitution. They also called on Ms Dullo to move to court and file defamation charges.
“This is a blatant attempt to frustrate, demean and intimidate Senator Dullo and it must be called out for what it is. These remarks perpetuate dangerous stereotypes with the aim of discouraging women’s participation in public life,” Kewosa chair Veronica Maina said. “It is unfortunate to witness targeted gender-based attacks against a leader whose dedication to serve and commitment to her constituents over the years speaks for itself.”
Ms Maina said leaders must engage in politics that respect the integrity of each player regardless of their gender. She accused Mr Guyo of demeaning the value of Madaraka Day celebrations – meant to celebrate the gains of Independence. “Remarks that diminish a woman’s contribution based on her gender rather than her accomplishments and leadership have no place in our society. We should raise a generation that respects women as much as it does men, rather than promote chauvinistic behaviour.”
The two warring leaders have been locking horns, with the most recent clash being at a Senate County Public Accounts Committee meeting two weeks ago. During the meeting, Ms Dullo accused Mr Guyo of lying on oath on the number of advisers in the county.