The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has condemned recent remarks made by Members of Parliament against the chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Sarah Serem.
On May 28 MPs protesting the cuts made to their salaries by the SRC earlier this year, made disparaging attacks against the Commission’s chair while also revoking
the
SRC gazette notice that set their pay at Sh532,500.
FIDA has termed the personal attacks made against the Serem as “repugnant” stating that :
“It is very unfortunate that the newly elected Members of the National Assembly would bring themselves into such disrepute and demean matters of national concern. We are further repulsed by the chauvinistic statements that targeted the Chairperson’s gender. “
FIDA said it has particularly taken issue with the utterances made Hon.Jakoyo Midiwo who referred to Serem as having ‘no brains’ and ‘picked for the position due to regional balance.’
“FIDA Kenya reiterates that women are capable and have proven their capability in different leadership positions not only in Kenya but worldwide and Mrs. Serem is not an exception. Mrs. Serem was competently chosen as the Chair of the Commission has outstanding credentials and her gender should not have any bearing on her ability to deliver.”
FIDA further said that the blocking of the media to cover parliament by MPs is a violation of the state organs’ obligation not to exercise control over and interfere with the media stating that Kenyans are being denied information. The organization has further called on Parliamentarians to respect and uphold the constitution.
National Assembly Clerk Joseph Bundi on Wednesday Morning went to Parliament’s media center at the National Assembly and ordered journalists to vacate the building immediately
Bundi, accompanied by parliamentary orderlies, told journalists who were covering the day’s proceedings that they were no longer needed. He said that coverage of the House proceedings will now only be by invitation only.