A parliamentary committee in Kenya has suspended a female senator, who describes herself as a whistleblower, for six months.
Gloria Orwoba was brought before the Powers and Privileges Committee for remarks she made on senate WhatsApp groups and at a press briefing alleging there was a culture of favoritism, ethnic discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment in parliament.
She implied that the only way to get things done in the background was to provide sexual favors or kickbacks, which she refused to do.
She frequently used the hashtag #NoSexForWork in her messages and complaints to her colleagues.
The committee, however, stated that her claims lacked support, and after her suspension was over, she would have to express regret for her remarks before being permitted to return to work.
Ms. Orwoba, who is visiting the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on business, responded to her suspension by claiming that the committee had released its report despite her having filed a lawsuit as she did not think she would receive a fair hearing.
She alleged the committee had gone ahead and published its report, despite the legal case, because of a recent request she had made for the travel expenses of senators and staff from October 2022 to September 2023 to be made public.
According to Ms. Orwoba, her request caused “panic and anxiety in high offices in parliament”.
“Swiftly after this request, the motion to suspend me, which was earlier adjourned was reintroduced while I was away,” she alleged.
The 37-year-old politician, who also works to end period stigma, has run into conflict with her colleagues before.
In February she was asked to leave parliament for failing to adhere to the house’s dress code because of an apparent period blood stain in the crotch of her white trouser suit.
She responded to those who criticized her at the time by explaining that mistakes are sometimes unavoidable: “Since I am always advocating against period shame, I thought I should go ahead and walk the talk.”
Source-BBC
