A member of Kericho County Assembly (MCA) has been accused of sexually harassing his female colleagues.
16 female MCAs have recorded a statement at the Kericho Police Station regarding an incident that allegedly occurred during a retreat in Kisumu County.
As they demanded action against the lawmaker, the MCAs sought the assistance of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (Fida).
Phillip Rono, a Kamasian MCA, is accused of “harassing and insulting” the women.
The MCA is accused of insulting his colleagues on September 23 at the Ciala Resort in Kisumu during an induction workshop organized by the assembly after the lawmakers were sworn in and elected their Speaker, Dr Patrick Mutai.
At a press conference on Monday, nominated MCA Fancy Korir and her Chemosot ward colleague Anita Biegon (the county’s only elected female MCA) made the claims.
“He sexually harassed MCAs in [the] full glare of members. It is not only demeaning but disrespectful to the mothers in the county and the country,” Ms Korir said.
“How can a member of the assembly brand his colleagues as having got their positions through sexual favours?”
Mr Rono, on the other hand, claimed the women were offended when he said some of them were nominated to fill seats reserved for people with disabilities.
The female MCAs, on the other hand, took a different stance on the issue, causing a stir just days before the assembly’s first formal sitting.
“When a leader stands and utter words to demean women in leadership especially those who were nominated with claims they got their positions as a result of sexual favours, that is totally unacceptable,” Ms Biegon said.
“When we are given an opportunity to lead, it is because we qualify for the positions and not because of sexual favours. Let us learn to respect women in leadership,” she added.
In response, Mr Rono stated that he applauded the offended female MCAs’ decision to go to court and co-opt Fida, and that the authorities should investigate the claims and take appropriate action.
“I did not exchange words with the female MCAs as claimed. The contest was about who will be elected to the various committees. I have just been framed yet I am innocent,” Mr Rono said in a statement.
“They are still new and excited, but they will learn over time to take some of the differences in stride. A number of them are too young and have not settled in their position.”
He added: “I am a human rights champion and perhaps they were appalled by the fact that I raised opposition over the nomination of some of them in [the] place of people living with disabilities.
“It is a matter I will continue speaking about as I consider the assembly not properly constituted as a result.”
The United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) failure to nominate people with disabilities has sparked outrage in Kericho County, with two candidates – Mr Benjamin Koech and Ms Beatrice Langat – being dropped from the final list despite being on the first.
