Gender Cabinet Secretary nominee Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has come under intense public scrutiny following remarks made during her vetting before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments on Monday. Cheptumo suggested that the recent surge in femicide cases in Kenya particularly those involving young women killed in short-term rentals may be linked to economic dependence and the pursuit of money to meet basic needs.
“Femicide is the intentional killing of women and girls; it is brought about by dependency. If girls were economically empowered, they would not depend on either gender,” she said. Cheptumo argued that young women often find themselves in risky environments as they seek alternative sources of income, highlighting the need for better education and economic opportunities for women.
Her comments, however, drew immediate backlash. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula challenged her assertion, pointing out that many of the victims were university students. Cheptumo responded, “They are educated but those ones are looking for money. You know a girl has many needs.”
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko objected to her remarks, terming them insensitive and tantamount to victim-blaming. “It is not good to say that those girls are looking for money and that is why they are brutally murdered,” Mboko said.
The backlash online was swift and sharp. Critics accused Cheptumo of deflecting attention from the real issues of gender-based violence and the failure of law enforcement. Social media users questioned whether dependency justifies murder, and some pointed to Kenya’s increasingly materialistic culture as a wider societal problem.
Despite the controversy, Cheptumo defended her qualifications, citing 14 years of experience at the Ministry of Cooperative Development. She pledged to push for more funding for the Gender Ministry and promote teamwork. Likening her role to a marriage, she said, “It is me who is getting married there, and the marriage must work.”
Cheptumo was nominated by President William Ruto to head the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage. The ministry has lacked a substantive CS since the Cabinet was dissolved earlier this year. Her nomination remains under consideration.
