The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has raised concerns over recent public statement involving minors, highlighting remarks made in relation to a Grade 10 learner participating in a voluntary service programme in the senate.
“FIDA-Kenya strongly condemns the growing acceptance of language and behaviour that humiliates or belittles girls in public. These remarks not only harm the dignity and emotional well-being of the child involved, but also send a harmful message to young girls across the country that public leadership spaces are unsafe and disrespectful to women and girls,” FIDA chairperson, Christine Kungu said in a statement.
Kungu said the comments made in Parliament were inappropriate and demeaning, and failed to uphold leaders’ constitutional duty to protect dignity, integrity, respect, and children’s rights. She added that Parliament and other public institutions should remain safe spaces for everyone, especially children and young girls, to learn, engage, and participate in leadership.
FIDA Kenya called for leaders to be held accountable when their actions undermine child protection. They urged strict enforcement of child safeguarding standards in Parliament and other public institutions, an immediate end to sharing content that identifies minors, and enhanced training for public officers and political leaders on child protection, gender sensitivity, ethical leadership, and prevention of sexual harassment.
“Children should never be used for sensationalism, ridicule, or public entertainment.”
This stems from a comment made by Karen Nyamu during a Senate session on Wednesday, March 25, where she acknowledged the student’s presence in Parliament but made comments that appeared to cast doubt on her service at the Senate.
“Mr Speaker, probably you should have made it clear which service to the Senate she’s offering, because I saw Senator Cherargei getting very excited when he saw a lady,” Nyamu said during the session.
Her comment triggered public backlash, Kenyans online accusing the Senator of humiliating the student.
The Senate ordered Karen Nyamu to deliver what Speaker’s panel member Veronica Maina described as an “unreserved apology” to the student, her family, the Senate, and the public. However, the apology later sparked fresh criticism after Nyamu implied she had been directed on the wording before going on to defend her earlier remarks.
“Madam Speaker, this apology has been written for me to read, and parts of it constitute an admission to what I have been accused of, which cannot be further from the truth,” Nyamu said before reading her statement.
Although she later apologized, Nyamu once more tried to justify her comments before Maina interrupted and told her to “leave it at that.”
