This week’s scuffle wasn’t just a fight — it was a failure of duty; no exceptions, no excuses

This week, we witnessed a deeply troubling incident in our parliamentary grounds – two women legislators engaged in a physical altercation that has since gone viral. The sight of nominated representatives rolling on the ground in a physical fight has left me, like many Kenyans, profoundly disappointed.

As an editor who has dedicated years to amplifying women's voices and championing their leadership, I find myself reflecting on what this means for our collective journey towards gender equality in political representation. The behaviour displayed is unacceptable from any leader, regardless of gender. When individuals accept the mantle of leadership and the title ‘Honourable’ while drawing salaries from public funds, they accept an inherent responsibility to conduct themselves with dignity.

Betrayal of public trust

The embarrassment I feel watching the footage isn't simply because women were involved – it's because this incident represents a fundamental betrayal of public trust. It's particularly painful because I understand the scrutiny women in leadership positions face daily. I've written extensively about the uneven standards applied to women in power – how we must constantly prove our worth in spaces traditionally dominated by men, working twice as hard for half the recognition.

This context makes such public misconduct particularly damaging. Each individual misstep by women in prominent positions ripples outward, feeding into regressive narratives about women's capacity for leadership altogether. The social media response confirms my fears – comments questioning women's emotional stability and fitness for leadership have flooded platforms, using this single incident to undermine decades of progress.

While one of the legislators has expressed regret and called the incident “unfortunate,” and the Speaker has imposed sanctions, these responses address only the symptoms of a deeper issue. Unfortunately, this physical altercation is not an isolated incident of concerning behaviour from women in leadership positions.

I've watched with growing dismay as certain female legislators and public figures have conducted themselves inappropriately, especially on social media platforms – posting undignified content, or sharing materials that objectify rather than elevate women. When elected representatives use these powerful communication tools to showcase behaviour that diminishes the office they hold, it sends a devastating message to young girls watching. Social media misconduct may not make headlines like a physical brawl, but it erodes respect for women's leadership just as effectively.

Honest conversations

We must have honest conversations about the quality of leadership we are cultivating across all public spaces, both physical and digital. I believe political parties share responsibility here. The practice of rewarding loyalty with nominations becomes problematic when character and competence become secondary considerations. Kenya has no shortage of brilliant, capable women who could serve with distinction – women who understand that leadership is about service rather than personal feuds or entitlement.

For every headline-grabbing altercation, countless women leaders work diligently without recognition, solving complex problems, building consensus, and serving their communities with distinction. Their dignity, competence, and commitment too often go uncelebrated, yet they persist, breaking barriers and creating pathways for future generations.

The weight of representation is something I feel personally in my own work. Every word I write carries the knowledge that I'm not just speaking for myself but potentially influencing perceptions of women's voices in journalism. Public figures carry an even heavier version of this burden – their actions either reinforce or challenge existing prejudices about women's capabilities.

As Kenyans who fund these positions through our taxes, we deserve leaders who understand the significance of their roles. We must collectively insist on civility, dignity, and respect from all who step into public service – particularly from those who accept the title ‘Honourable’ while drawing salaries from our taxes.

Women’s leadership itself is not what failed us this week; individual judgment did. I remain committed to advocating for qualified women in positions of power, even as I acknowledge the disappointment of this moment. The path towards equal representation was never going to be without setbacks, but my conviction remains unshaken: women's leadership is essential to Kenya's future, and this incident, however regrettable, is merely a painful step in our continuing journey forward.

dmuga@ke.nationmedia.com