National Assembly Leader of Majority Aden Duale had revealed that positions of nominated female members of parliament are reserved for girlfriends and mistresses of political party leaders.
Speaking in Nairobi during the launching of 5,000 women aspirants in December 2016, Mr Duale said the nominated position had lost its meaning.
The Garissa Township MP said leaders of political parties were taking advantage of their positions to nominate their girlfriends and mistresses for the different positions.
He said a section of nominated women gets the positions at the expense of those who are qualified.
“Leaders of political parties were appointing their girlfriends. In 2013, some people were asking why can’t we nominate our people. But we said that should not happen,” said Mr Duale.
Mr Duale said according to the Constitution the law requires anyone who wants to be nominated to apply 45 days to the general election.
Pioneer woman leader Phoebe Asiyo agreed with Duale’s sentiments saying that during her time, the seats were reserved for the girlfriends of politicians.
However, the then nominated senators Elizabeth Ongoro and Beatrice Elachi rubbished Mr Duale claims, saying nominated women have to fight for their positions just like their male counterparts.
Ms Ong’oro said that she won in the ODM nominations and she was not given the position because she is a girlfriend to any political party leader.
“Stop this thing of packaging nominated senators, MPs and MCAs as being girlfriends of someone,” said Ms Ong’oro.