Nairobi woman representative Esther Passaris has once again found herself on the wrong side of a section of Kenyans on Twitter after condemning the mishandling of Millicent Omanga in Kisii.
During the burial of Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi’s father on Monday, Omanga was evicted from the podium following a standoff with governor James Ongwae after she tried to snatch a microphone to address mourners.
The nominated senator later tweeted saying she is no pushover. “Bora wamejua I’m not a pushover. Ama wanasemaje hapo njei?” she posed.
Like many of us, the incident caught the eye of Esther Passaris who took to her Twitter platform to share her opinion.
“I am deeply appalled and would like to condemn in the strongest terms possible the manner in which Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga was manhandled yesterday in Kisii. No matter which side of the political divide we’re on, women’s bodies must be respected at all times,” Passaris tweeted.
Her remarks, however, appeared to split opinion, with a majority accusing her of playing the gender card. Others agreed with Passaris that the situation could have been handled better.
Below are some sampled tweets:
Feminists when they see its manhandled instead of womanhandled pic.twitter.com/MT0lqWEoa5
— Albungurus Bakaya ? (@ianboflo1) February 2, 2021
Mkileta nyokonyoko lazima mchukuliwe juu juu..you asked for equality..we are granting it
— kilaa (@SteveKilaa) February 2, 2021
But do you support her behavior of attacking and trying to snatch a microphone from Governor Ongwae, respect is a two way street. When a lady misbehaves she loses that empathy and respect.
— Benedict Owuor (@BenedictOwuor) February 2, 2021
Moses Kuria was manhandled during the BBI rally in Kitui which I think you attended ,you didn’t speak of it ,and then here you are pulling a gender card …..hypocrisy at its best.
— Juma_Juma (@itsjjuma) February 2, 2021
Thank you mama Taa. Karibu Hustler Nation.
— Namachanja Khapoya (@n_khapoya) February 2, 2021
You’re right Mheshimiwa
— LYDIA NYAWIRA MBURIA (@lydia_mburia) February 2, 2021
Women’s card again pic.twitter.com/r1FGkwjla5
— Bonnitta and 24 others ? ? (@bonnitta_ke) February 2, 2021
The moment we draw lines between the sexes and or gender, we lose the fight in the assertion of dignity to individuals.
All persons deserve to be decently and civil handled.— M.C. Shifwoka (@MCShifwoka) February 2, 2021
Saa zingine unafaa unyamaze mama taa. People can’t just go about behaving in a rowdy manner because they are women.
— YANO (@_Yanoh) February 2, 2021
Allow me to condemn in the strongest terms possible your statement because the victim felt good about it..apologize for pushing a dead on arrival narrative! pic.twitter.com/dU7MIG1KQC
— Calf (@Pius542) February 2, 2021
Exactly stand strong woman https://t.co/YIj447lnF9
— Vince mpya ke (@MpyaKe) February 2, 2021
Women: Treat us equally!!
Also women: Not like that ?? https://t.co/7c4aELzWAg— Chakra (@teko_amolo) February 2, 2021
Feminists want to be treated equally… But kukiharibika they pull out the ‘i am just a girl’ card… https://t.co/ESy4EacbM3
— Kala_ken (@kennedy_kala) February 2, 2021
This I support. I was personally very ashamed to see some women who were standing next to her move so that she can be manhandled. I was ashamed. https://t.co/NJ5Z70tb6T
— Runningwalker and 3,000 others (@mthiuri) February 2, 2021
Respect is earned not demanded. https://t.co/F0pQI6nvSa
— Betty Muiruri (@snoopiefox) February 2, 2021
Women should be treated better and I am disappointed at the way kisii Governor behaved. Can we have women security guards to handle these cases if any case they arise? @EstherPassaris https://t.co/4Sfe9zg5NN
— peter kangethe (@kangethearts) February 2, 2021
Pulling the gender card again… https://t.co/Jw79STeS2e
— MaryAnne Naitu (@naitu254) February 2, 2021
Bullfighting is anachronistic – You enter into a bullring & you’re leaving behind the values of the world outside the ring…. Bette Ford https://t.co/Zsacul1GsT
— Lydiah N. Kinyanjui (@LydiahKinyanju4) February 2, 2021
So we speak up only when its a peer or friend but you can’t speak up for fellow women who go through this everyday? Let me sit down. https://t.co/Bo8JGcsQSQ
— Kui Karingithi (@KuiKaringithi) February 2, 2021
An interesting thread….. not even one Man to protect … only “she asked for it” …. Hey ?? men …. if ya’ll hate women, just say that ?? https://t.co/OaYy2JtKye
— VICTORIA KIMANI ? AFREAKA ALBUM (@VICTORIA_KIMANI) February 2, 2021
Continue being appalled https://t.co/OMor8eUmrt
— Thuggish Ruggish Bone (@GichingiriEric) February 2, 2021
She really had to play the gender card!?! Out of everything that happened, this is what you chose to condemn? Ahaa https://t.co/wExFrJrqzE
— careless whisper. (@pauline_wesonga) February 2, 2021
When a woman gave birth outside pumwani you were so quiet on here but because it’s your fellow politician unascream asubuhi?!! https://t.co/a4XzpPI1XK
— Jeepmunk?? (@Mwituuuu) February 2, 2021
It’s absurd and a threat to women of this world,thanks @EstherPassaris for standing for the truth irrespective of your political standing https://t.co/D2Zmbkwc9E
— Sirwocosmasclasified (@CosmasSirwo) February 2, 2021
We see mad people each day ?
So women should just misbehave and be let free because they are women
Sometimes we play the gender card blindly https://t.co/Ln7eNF7chc— Kerry ?? (@kerubo_hillary) February 2, 2021
