NGEC demands public apology from Isiolo governor Guyo over his remarks against Senator Dullo

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has condemned the recent utterances made by Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo against Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, which it says sought to demean and trivialise the her constitutional role.

In a statement, NGEC chairperson Rehema Jaldesa termed the governor public comments as crude and misogynistic remarks, adding that they suggested her demand for accountability in the use of public funds was driven by personal frustrations allegedly linked to her private life.

“The remarks made by the Governor are not only disrespectful and demeaning, they are emblematic of a deeper problem of gender-based violence expressed through words and attitudes that humiliate, degrade and intimidate women in leadership and public service. This conduct falls squarely within the definition of psychological violence and gender-based violence as contemplated under the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, 2015, and undermines the dignity and equality of women as enshrined in Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010,” she said.

“These statements are unbecoming of a public officer and offend the spirit and letter of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity, which demands that all State officers demonstrate respect for the people, bring honour to the nation and dignity to the office they hold. Further, Section 11 of the Leadership and Integrity Act requires that public officers, including Governors, conduct themselves in a manner that avoids demeaning the office they occupy or compromising public confidence in the integrity of their office.”

Jaldesa reiterated that the role of a Senator is clearly outlined under Article 96 of the Constitution—to represent counties and protect the interests of counties and their governments at the national level, and to provide oversight on the use of national revenue allocated to the county governments.

“Senator Fatuma Dullo is well within her constitutional mandate to seek accountability for the use of public funds in Isiolo County. Attempts to intimidate, shame or silence her for doing so are unlawful, unacceptable and must be met with firm institutional response.”

She demanded that Governor Guyo issues an immediate and unqualified public apology to Senator Dullo, the women of Kenya, and the public at large for his offensive and unlawful remarks.

Jaldesa added that Guyo’s reference to a young man in a sexually suggestive context is equally unacceptable; characterizing youth as mere sex objects is demeaning, unlawful, and deserving of an apology to the young people of Kenya, who are protected from such indignity by the Constitution and relevant laws.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) must institute investigations into the conduct of Governor Abdi Guyo. If found culpable, he must be held accountable to the full extent of the law,” she said.

At the same time, Jaldesa called on the Council of Governors to publicly denounce the remarks and take steps to uphold integrity and gender respect in all levels of leadership.

“We call on all leaders—both men and women—across political and professional spheres to reject the normalisation of sexist and demeaning language directed at women and to speak out against the use of such rhetoric in public discourse. The Commission stands in full solidarity with Senator Fatuma Dullo and commends her for her courage and commitment to transparency and accountability. No woman leader should be attacked or silenced for doing what the Constitution demands of them,” she added.

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) had also earlier demanded an apology from Guyo over his remarks.

“KEWOPA stands in full solidarity with Senator Fatuma Dullo and calls upon the relevant institutions, including the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to probe this matter and hold the governor accountable for his inflammatory and defamatory statements,” it stated in a statement.

During a recent forum, Guyo hit out at Senator Dullo for questioning the use of county funds. He went on to question her marital status, implying she has an affair with a young man.