Why FIDA wants legal action taken against Jeff Koinange
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has asked the Media Council of Kenya to take legal actions against KTN TV show host Jeff Koinage for allowing Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Miguna Miguna to sexually assault his competitor Esther Passaris on live TV.
FIDA Kenya chairperson Josephine Mon’gare in a press release issued on Thursday strongly condemned Mr Miguna’s comments about Ms Passaris and termed them as violence against women’s rights.
This condemnation came as the body asked the government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to strictly enforce the law and the Electoral Code of Conduct and protect Women candidates in various elective posts from all manner of violence during the election period.
Ms Mon’gare said the interview on KTN’s Jeff Koinange Live show was a brutal sexual-based attack on Ms Passaris and should not have been allowed to air.
“We categorically condemn the violence meted out on Ms Passaris. We take great exception with the fact that Mr Jeff Koinage, the TV show host of no mean repute, allowed Mr Miguna to severally disparage Ms Passaris on a national TV,” said Ms Mon’gare.
UNPROFESSIONAL
The FIDA boss further termed Mr Koinage’s conduct as unprofessional and totally unacceptable.
“The show was not about issues but a personal attack,” she said.
Both Ms Passaris and Mr Miguna are eyeing for the Nairobi’s governor’s seat and according to Mr Koinage they had been invited to debate on political issues.
According to FIDA Kenya, the show comprised of slanderous, dehumanizing and bitter vitriol against Ms Passaris.
“Some words by Mr Miguna amounts to criminal acts like ‘you are beautiful every man wants to rape you’ in attempt to discredit her ambitions for the gubernatorial seat,” she said.
Ms Mon’gare said Ms Passaris’ constitutional right was breached as she was treated in cruel and dehumanizing manner.
She said FIDA Kenya is angered with by the escalating cases of violence against women in the country, such as in their homes, work places and now on live TV shows.
