This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
King Kaka's Song Sparks Debate Over Sanitary Pads for Schoolgirls ¶
Kenyan musician King Kaka's song Wajinga Nyinyi has sparked a heated debate over allegations that female lawmakers have embezzled funds meant for sanitary pads for schoolgirls.
On December 14, 2019, King Kaka released a song in which he accused female lawmakers of embezzling funds meant for sanitary pads for schoolgirls.
"Is it true women rep ndio wanadishi pesa ya pads meant for girls (You rush to make an enquiry on if it is true women representatives have squandered cash meant to buy sanitary pads for school girls)," King Kaka sang in the song.
However, female lawmakers have come out to defend themselves against the allegations, with Nairobi County Representative Esther Passaris saying that they do not have the power to control the budget for sanitary pads, but rather assist in their distribution under the Ministry of Education.
"Hana habari kuwa huwadhibiti bajeti ya sodo, sisi husaidia tu katika usambazaji (Sio kaunti zote hupokea) na kamishna wa kaunti na machifu wote," Passaris said in a tweet.
Passaris also stated that female lawmakers have been following up on the distribution of sanitary pads and have been working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the pads reach the schoolgirls.
"Sisi kama mawakilishi wa akina mama pia tumekuwa tunafuata sodo na Wizara ya sasa ya Elimu," she said.
Another female lawmaker, Kwale County Representative Zuleikha Hassan, also defended herself against the allegations, saying that she and her colleagues had received sanitary pads from the Ministry of Education, not from the county government.
"Nimesikia King Kaka amewataja wakilishi wa wanawake kwa kukula pesa za sodo. Mawakilishi wa Wanawake walipewa sodo tu na Wizara ya Jinsia na sio pesa," Hassan said in a tweet.
King Kaka has since responded to the allegations, saying that he wants to know why the female lawmakers have not taken any action against the embezzlement of funds meant for sanitary pads.
"Kwa hivyo ni nani anachukua hizo pesa licha ya serikali kuidhinisha mradi huo. Mimi sipigani na yeyote nataka tu watu wapate kilicho chao, mulichaguliwa kutuwakilisha," King Kaka said.
The debate over the allegations has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with many Kenyans calling for the female lawmakers to be held accountable for their actions.
