Women MPs from the Maa community defended Defence Cabinet secretary-nominee Soipan Tuya against social media attacks directed at her. The MPs, representing Kajiado, Narok, Laikipia, and Samburu counties, were led by Agnes Pareiyo from Narok North. They criticized Tuya’s detractors and urged them to refrain from interfering in her personal life.
As Maa women, we condemn with the strongest terms possible the absolute and disrespect meted out on her. Her personal life is a private affair. The statements being shared repeatedly on social media amount to libel and slander,” they said.
“We personally know Tuya. What we witnessed recently is actually gender-based violence, and we are here to say that particularly the people who edited videos to make her look bad and to malign her should be brought to book because this is a country of laws.”
The lawmakers addressed the online attacks aimed at Tuya following her nomination to the Cabinet by President William Ruto last Friday. Initially nominated for the Environment and Climate Change ministry, Tuya was later reassigned to the Defence docket on Tuesday. After her nomination, she faced a wave of harsh criticism on social media, with detractors questioning her marital status.
