Senator fiercely defends Nairobi MCA Habiba Ibrahim who lost her seat over absenteeism

Nominated Jubilee Senator Millicent Omanga has fiercely reprimanded Speaker Beatrice Elachi for declaring nominated MCA Habiba Ibrahim Hussein's seat vacant.

In a comprehensive statement backed with hospital records, Senator Omanga revealed that 28-year-old Ms Habiba has been in and out of hospital since she lost her newborn daughter in 2018.

"From the information and records in my possession, Hon. Habiba carried a challenging and complicated pregnancy to term, and delivered a baby girl Shadia, through a Caesarean Procedure, on November 21, 2018.

Senator Millicent Omanga fiercely defends Nairobi MCA Habiba Ibrahim who lost her seat over absenteeism Nairobi MCA Habiba Ibrahim Hussein loses seat after skipping all sessions in 2 years Pulse Live Kenya

"Unfortunately, the baby was born with heart complications that are suspected to have arisen from the treatment the mother was undergoing during the pregnancy...Despite the dedicated efforts by the doctors, Baby Shadia's condition deteriorated due to a blocked A-V valve, and she died a days after birth, on the 23rd November 2018.

"Ever since, Hon. Habiba has been admitted to hospital severally, the first time being barely four months after delivery, when she underwent a surgery to remove her gallbladder and fibroids," Omanga narrated.

Habiba was in hospital in February 2020

Senator Omanga reasoned that it was discriminatory and inhumane to make light of Habiba's situation as well as to strip her of her seat.

"As the Nairobi City County Nominated Senator, I demand an unconditional apology from the Kitisuru Ward MCA, Hon. Alvin Palala, and his associates for degrading, disrespecting and demeaning women, especially at their most painful and vulnerable time.

"The least Hon. Habiba deserves is support and sympathy as she recovers from the painful loss of her child, while she undergoes her treatment, where she was admitted in hospital as recently as February 2020.

"I also call upon the DCI and EACC to move with speed and get to the bottom of the bursary scandal in Nairobi that has been unearthed through the trending voice clip," she stated.