The Wiper Democratic Movement has issued a sharp condemnation following a violent assault on Kitui Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jacinta Mwoni, describing the incident as a targeted act of gender-based political violence allegedly perpetrated by individuals linked to Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai.
According to a statement released Wednesday by Wiper Secretary General Shakila Abdalla, the attack occurred shortly after MCA Mwoni expressed political support for Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a funeral service in Kitui.
“The violent assault is not just a criminal act, it is a disgusting display of brute misogyny and political thuggery,” Abdalla said. “She was attacked simply because she dared to express political support for Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka at a funeral. That’s it. A woman spoke, and men responded with violence.”
Abdalla condemned the assault as a premeditated and politically motivated act, not a random incident. “This wasn’t an accident. It was targeted, deliberate, and deeply political,” she stated.
She further decried a growing pattern of violence and intimidation against women in leadership, calling the incident a disturbing message aimed at silencing female political voices. “It is one more case in a long list of attacks on women in leadership, a warning to women: speak out, and we will hurt you. We see it. And we are calling it out for what it is, gender-based violence in politics, carried out by cowards who fear women with opinions.”
Quoting the Kenyan Constitution, Abdalla emphasized that MCA Mwoni acted within her constitutional rights. “Article 33 protects every Kenyan’s right to speak. Article 38 guarantees the right to make political choices. Hon. Mwoni broke no law. She exercised her rights. The men who attacked her broke the law.”
The Wiper party has also taken direct aim at MP Nimrod Mbai, accusing him of deploying associates to intimidate Mwoni and failing to denounce the violence.
“He did not condemn the assault. His message was clear: silence this woman by force. Hon. Mbai must be named and shamed. This is not leadership, it is thuggery in a suit,” Abdalla added.
Wiper has called on law enforcement agencies to take swift action against those involved in the assault and demanded accountability for what it sees as a politically charged attack on democratic freedoms and women’s participation in politics.
Written By Rodney Mbua
