Tension erupted in Machakos County Tuesday, after protests broke out across several towns, with hundreds of women taking to the streets to condemn what they described as deeply insulting and demeaning remarks made by Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau against Governor Wavinya Ndeti.
Tension boiled over in on June 2, 2026, after a wave of emotionally charged protests swept through major towns, with hundreds of women taking to the streets to condemn what they described as “deeply insulting and degrading” remarks made by Mavoko Member of Parliament against Governor .
The protests, which quickly gained momentum across urban centres, took an unusual and symbolic turn as demonstrators waved undergarments in the air and carried placards reading “Mavoko Respect Women”. The protesters said the gesture was meant to represent defiance against what they termed “political humiliation and gender-based disrespect” in leadership spaces.
The outrage stems from remarks allegedly made by MP Makau during a public rally, where he launched a personal attack on Governor Ndeti. According to witnesses and online clips circulating widely, the MP used language that critics say crossed the line from political criticism into personal and gender-based insults targeting the governor’s womanhood and appearance.
The comments sparked immediate backlash on social media, drawing condemnation from gender rights groups, civil society organizations, and local leaders who accused the legislator of undermining respectful political discourse and promoting misogyny in public office.
As demonstrations intensified, protestors marched through town centres demanding an immediate and unconditional public apology from the MP. They argued that the attack on Governor Ndeti was not just personal, but symbolic of the broader challenges women leaders face in Kenya’s political arena.
“Our dignity as women leaders is under attack. When one woman in leadership is insulted like this, all women in leadership are insulted,” one protester said amid the demonstrations.
Security remained on alert as crowds moved through key streets, though the protests remained largely peaceful despite their intensity. Organizers warned that failure by the MP to issue an apology could trigger further nationwide solidarity protests from women groups and activists.
The controversy continues to dominate political discourse in Machakos County, with pressure mounting on leaders across party lines to intervene and restore calm.
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