Kenya: Fatuma Gedi Risks Losing Woman Rep Seat Over S*x Tape Scandal

Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi has drawn the wrath of
the National Assembly’s disciplinary committee after it found her
guilty of acting in dishonour and bringing disrepute to the
House.

The MP will be punished for allegedly leaking to the media a
letter from the director of the Directorate of Criminal
Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti to the Clerk of the National
Assembly Michael Sialai requesting four MPs alleged to be behind
the leaking of a sex tape to appear for grilling.

The four MPs, Aden Keynan (Eldas), Abdihakim Mohamed (Fafi),
Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo) and Wangui Ngirici (Kirinyaga), are yet to
record statements with the DCI over the tape, which has been linked
to Ms Gedi. She has dismissed it as fake.

Gedi was found guilty by the Powers and Privileges Committee of
being in breach of the Leadership and Integrity Act and will face
disciplinary action that could include losing her seat if the House
strictly adopts the report of the committee.

The Powers and Privileges Committee is chaired by House Speaker
Justin Muturi. The committee recommended that the legislator be
disciplined for directly using information obtained through or in
connection with her office as an MP to further her private
interests.

The Powers and Privileges Act states that where the relevant
House of Parliament finds that a member has committed a breach of
privilege, the relevant House of Parliament may impose penalties,
such as vacation of a seat pursuant to Articles 75(2)(b) and
103(1)(c) of the Constitution.

The committee can also impose other penalties, including: “A
formal warning, reprimand, apologising to the House or a person in
a manner to be recommended by the committee, withholding, for a
specific period of time, of the member’s rights, removal for a
specified period of time of the member from any parliamentary
position, fine in terms of the member’s monthly salary and
allowances as well as suspension.”