Nairobi News

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda has called out her counterpart Sylvanus Osoro for suggesting that Peninah Malonza was on her period and that is why she was rejected.

President William Ruto had nominated Ms. Malonza as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism before she was rejected.

While addressing her parliamentarians, Ms. Lesuuda said, “Majority whip by thinking you are helping Hon Malonza by bringing issues of her periods on this floor. You are actually making it worse because we did not judge her on that.”

When deliberating on women's competence, let us stick to issues, not side shows and trivial matters. pic.twitter.com/aASvn9367R

— Hon. Naisula Lesuuda (@Lesuuda) October 25, 2022

Adding that those were not things they were looking at when they rejected her, Ms Lesuuda added, “You cannot also bring issues when it comes to matters women to trivialize it and become about our moods, our emotions, our periods.”

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Earlier, while sharing that local politics played in the rejection of Ms Malonza, the South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro said, “However, honorable Speaker, it is wrong to use one parameter to deny her.

I think if we were to be fair, the rejection must have been on matters that are serious and touch on Chapter 6 of the Constitution, suitability but not on issues on presentation to the committee. Maybe she was not dressed very well, maybe she was on her period.”

Here is the video of Sylvanus Osoro making the claim that Peninah Malonza might have failed her Cabinet Secretary interview because she was on her periods. pic.twitter.com/OGEUdzGUQR

— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) October 25, 2022

Kimani Ichungwa, the Kikuyu Mp while shedding light on why Ms. Malonza was rejected shared that the latter lacked administrative knowledge of the office.

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The lawmaker maintained that the National Assembly Committee on Appointment’s decision was not an act of vindication of her suitability to hold public office.

“Honorable Speaker, the Committee in considering this particular nominee… we do state that the nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of topical administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage,” he said.

Adding, “Consequently, the nominee lacks requisite ability and experience to serve as a Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.”

Ms Malonza appeared for vetting on Wednesday, October 16, 2022, and had previously served as the Kitui Deputy Governor, and also a former senior executive with Compassion International, a non-governmental organization.

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