Kenya:FIDA wants Sonko arrested over Madaraka Day drama

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The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), on Sunday, called on the arrest and prosecution of Governor Mike Sonko following his remarks to Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris during the Saturday Madaraka Day celebrations.

The FIDA Executive Director Teresia Omondi said the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigation should act swiftly on Sonko for contravening Chapter Six of the Constitution and engaging in hate speech.

“It was wrong. He is a public officer and should not engage in such. Unfortunately, there is a continuous disregard of Chapter Six by some leaders,” said Omondi.

 

The call comes at a time when Governor Sonko is under heavy criticism for his outburst at Passaris during the Madaraka Day celebrations on Saturday.

The heated exchange between the two left tongues wagging countrywide with social media abuzz on the matter.

Passaris, who spoke before the Governor, had complained of Sonko’s unreachability saying her attempted phone calls to the Governor went unanswered on several occasions.

She said her development agenda had been derailed because of failure and delay by the County Government to approve her key development programs that needed the consent of the county.

When Governor Sonko rose to speak, the confrontation became murkier when he told off Passaris saying: “I am not your husband that I should be picking your calls the time you want.”

Disappointed Passaris could not take it anymore as she walked out of the celebrations before the county boss could finish his speech.

She later expressed her disappointment on the Governor saying he stooped to low on his remarks knowing very well he knew her husband.

“As a woman who is fighting for other women to be empowered, and fighting for women to be respected and we have just come from a big conversation about ‘Her Life Matters’ I felt he went a bit low,” she said.