Kenyan governor Kabogo apologises over single women slur

“If you are 35 and don’t have a husband, there is something wrong… We will start demanding that you are married before you are elected,” Mr Kabogo told a rally last week broadcast by Kenya’s NTV television.

“You young ladies; look for husbands and get married. You are the ones causing problems,” he added.

Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper further quoted the governor as saying: “Someone who is able to manage a home is equally able to run the affairs of the people. But if you cannot manage a home … can you manage public affairs?”

Kenyan media said the remarks were directed at Ms Ng’ang’a, a single mother, who opposed new levies recently proposed by the governor.

In response, she said the people in her constituency, within Kiambu County, who had voted her into office were aware that she was a single mother.

Mr Kabogo had said levies needed to be paid if residents in the county expected the regional government to provide quality services.

He accused Ms Ng’ang’a of inciting traders against the proposed taxes she described as “unreasonable charges and [a] tax on the people”.