Rongai MP aspirant threatens legal action over alleged FGM remarks

A parliamentary aspirant for Rongai Constituency in Nakuru County has threatened legal action against a rival politician over alleged remarks advocating female genital mutilation (FGM) and questioning her suitability for leadership.

Addressing journalists outside the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on Thursday, lawyer Danstan Omari said his client, Mercy Chebet Chelel, had instructed him to pursue legal remedies following statements allegedly made during a fundraising event in Menengai West Ward on May 24,2026.

Omari claimed that the remarks, allegedly made by a senior officer of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) who is also eyeing the Rongai parliamentary seat, suggested that Chelel should undergo circumcision before contesting for the position.

He described the alleged utterances as offensive, discriminatory and contrary to constitutional principles protecting equality and human dignity.

“The Constitution allows every Kenyan, regardless of gender, to seek elective office. No woman should be subjected to discrimination because of her biological makeup,” Omari said.

The lawyer argued that the comments amounted to an attack on women’s rights and were inconsistent with modern democratic values.

He linked the alleged remarks to broader concerns about gender-based violence and femicide, saying women continue to face intimidation in both social and political spaces.

Omari further stated that his client would formally petition several state agencies, including the KRA, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to investigate the matter.

He questioned whether a public officer accused of making such remarks met the leadership and integrity standards outlined under Chapter Six of the Constitution.

The lawyer also said his client was considering reporting the matter to investigative authorities, arguing that promoting or encouraging FGM is a criminal offence under Kenyan law.

According to Omari, the alleged statements could amount to gender profiling and risk inciting hostility against women seeking leadership positions.

He maintained that Chelel would remain in the race for the Rongai parliamentary seat under the UDA ticket and would not be intimidated by political rivals.

“She will contest. She will be on the ballot and she will not be cowed by threats or discriminatory remarks,” Omari said.

In a demand letter issued through his law firm, Chelel accused the aspiring politician of making derogatory remarks in a local dialect during the May 24 fundraiser, allegedly suggesting that she was unfit to lead because she had not undergone FGM.

The letter further alleged that on May 26, 2026, while Chelel was attending a funeral within the constituency, individuals linked to the politician disrupted the gathering and harassed her supporters.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the politician named in the demand letter had not publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication.

Chelel’s lawyers are demanding that the politician publicly admit making the remarks, issue an unconditional apology within seven days, and pay Sh50 million in compensation for alleged reputational damage.

The advocates warned that failure to comply with the demands would result in legal proceedings being filed to seek redress on behalf of their client.