Kwale Woman Rep Zuleika Hassan on Wednesday morning brought Parliament’s proceedings to a standstill after getting to the chambers with her 5-month-old baby.
What got the attention of many Kenyans is the speaker’s decision to order Zuleika out of the house saying the chambers was not the right place for the legislator to take care of her child.
“I had an emergency and decided not to miss work but come with the baby. She is not an atomic bomb and can’t explode,” Ms. Hassan said.
While some MPs and Kenyans defended Zuleika for her actions, some complained about her decision to bring in the toddler since the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) had in 2013 passed a motion directing the house to set aside a room within Parliament buildings for breastfeeding mothers.
Here are some of the reactions from a section of Kenyans;
So now we are kicking women MPs out of parliament because they came to work with a child.
The legislator in question is Kwale Woman Rep Zuleika Hassan. pic.twitter.com/bgJ9MMJOxZ
— Wamathai (@Wamathai) August 7, 2019
She is an attention seeker.
End of Quote, kwani ukienda ofisi unaenda na mtoto wakunyonya?
Zuileka Hassan, a Big NO!— Kawangware Finest™️ No Human is Limited (@cbs_ke) August 7, 2019
This is Australia parliament an act of humanity . Why can't they use the same energy to kick out these corrupt zombies leaders. pic.twitter.com/a3XqkTs3Ou
— pronoh nahash (@PNahash) August 7, 2019
Kilimendi Mjukuu Wa Maasai Why are women unable to compartmentalize their lives? unapeleka mtoto parliamente kufanya nini? Learn to separate your private life from your public life, otherwise you will also request for bedrooms and changing rooms in parliament. This is nonsense!
Khapokolo Victor Khapokolo The baby becomes the youngest member of parliament without passing through elections. Guinness book of records should take note!
Ndio maaana tunataka hiii punguza mzingo bill initiative pic.twitter.com/VdWtoiJHq1
— Mbuku Michael (@MbukuMichael) August 7, 2019
Organisations have rule, r breastfeeding women working in the supermarkets going with their children to work? What was so urgent that she was going to contribute in parliament with the baby? Has she ever sponsored any bill? We don't want women who r just out to draw attention!
— Amity M (@ammimax) August 7, 2019
Nangoja siku mbunge atazirai ama kufariki ndani ya bunge sijui spika atasema amekiuka kipengele gani cha katiba.
— Geoffrey AIYASA Mwikamba 🇰🇪 (@AiyasaGeoffrey) August 7, 2019
Darlglish Yunge We don’t need these women reps really, 90 percent just go to parliament to slay they don’t even know their job description , these side shows need to end , I mean that’s a job will you show up with a baby in an office ati you’ve come to work ? No
Fridah Mukami I blame that speaker. Infact that lady should have been at comfort of her house till the baby turns 6 months but she decided not to miss today’s sitting. Let me wish those yapping here and condemning that lady are men and don’t have wife and kids.
Picture that she was the President!!!! This is why election of women in some positions won't work in Africa!!!
She did this intentionally….— shadrack musau (@denzelshady) August 7, 2019