Kiambu Women rep reacts to accusations of encouraging marriage between rapist and teenage victim

January 23, 2018 5:13 PM

The former radio presenter was accused of insinuating that a 15-year-old girl living with disability should marry her 43-year-old rapist.

Kiambu Women Rep Gathoni wa Muchomba recently came under fire for allegedly insinuating that a 15-year-old girl should marry her 43-year-old rapist as her family is poor and cannot take care of her and the newborn.

She was accused of posing the question “Should this man (abuser) be convicted and released on condition that he provides for these two i.e (Name withheld) who is 15 years and her newborn?”

Gathoni has now dismissed these allegations as lies. This was after one Polycarp Hinga wrote: “Kiambu Women Rep Gathoni Wamûcomba has suggested that a rapist who raped and impregnated a 15-year-old girl Naomi should be freed and given the underage girl to marry because she (Naomi) is unable to take care of herself or the child.”

This is not the first time since being elected that Gathoni has stirred up controversy. A few months ago before even getting sworn in, she made a comment on Live TV that she deserves to be paid well amid SRC’s decision to slash MPs’ fat salaries. A comment that greatly angered Kenyans.

“If you want people to perform, I believe I have heavily invested in human resource. I believe you should pay them well and make them feel appreciated. To motivate MPs so that they can be able to actively participate in parliamentary committees, you need to give them allowances to make them feel that they can see the reason to over-dedicate themselves.” She said.

“I want to be paid well. I fought I worked to be a Member of Parliament, I campaigned and used my resources, I want to be honoured for who I am.” She added in the regrettable interview.