Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba received backlash from Kenyans after offering to buy shoes for women who danced for President William Ruto during a tree planting exercise in Makueni.
In a post on Tuesday, November 14, Wamuchomba expressed concerns that the traditional dancers who entertained the President were barefooted.
As such, she offered to buy them shoes and even asked for their contacts in what she said would “dignify” them.
“Hawa wamama (These women) were clearly dancing barefooted! Ooh no! I need to buy shoes for them to dignify them. Who has their contacts please share,” the post read.
Her offer, however, attracted backlash from a section of users who interpreted the move as one of the ways politicians use to earn political mileage.
Some users who commented to the post pointed out that traditional dancers are known to dance without shoes as a way of amplifying the African culture.
Kenyans roast Wamuchomba
Another user also highlighted a photo of a boy captured without shoes while in the company of President Ruto and his deputy- noting that such a boy was more deserving.
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“Most of these traditional dances/performances are done without shoes to amplify our tradition,” a user named Lawrence Kitema posted.
“At this era, most Kenyans afford a pair of shoes unlike in the 90’s. Chance is they danced barefooted by choice and not because lack,” another one under the name Tanui Kiptoo commented.
“I think this boy deserves it more. See how these two are looking at him?” a user commented in reference to the photo of barefooted boy walking alongside the President.
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“I walk barefoot in my house, sometimes where I want, does that mean I don’t have shoes? Those are traditional dancers,” another user commented.
The vocal MP did not immediately engage the users commenting on her post.
The fearless MP
Being her second term as an MP, Wamuchomba has been in a strained relationship with the Kenya Kwanza’s bigwigs – often showing the guts to go against some government policies.
During the heated debate on Finance Bill in Maay, Wamuchomba stood as a Kenya Kwanza MP who publicly opposed the tax increments.
Not even threats to discipline her for going against the party’s stance in parliament could slow her down at the time as she vowed to protect citizens from punitive measures.
When the government announced plans to increase fees for various citizen registration services, the former journalist joined the bandwagon in criticizing the changes terming them as punitive.
