Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia has publicly raised concerns over the manner in which she was screened while entering Parliament, claiming that the security procedure left her feeling uncomfortable and raised questions about how female lawmakers are handled during routine checks.
Addressing the National Assembly, Muhia alleged that she was stopped by security officers because of the green headscarf she was wearing. According to the legislator, the scarf may have been mistaken for attire linked to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), following a recent directive by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula prohibiting politically branded clothing and party colours inside Parliament.
Muhia said the screening was conducted by a male Sergeant-at-Arms, a situation she found inappropriate given that female security officers were available. She claimed that during the search, the officer came very close to touching her breast, prompting her to object to the manner in which the screening was carried out.
While speaking in the House, the MP expressed her discomfort and emphasized that female legislators should, whenever possible, be searched by female officers. She argued that such an arrangement would help preserve the dignity of women lawmakers and reduce the risk of incidents that could be viewed as inappropriate or intrusive.
The complaint comes as Parliament continues to enforce stricter rules on dress code and the display of political symbols within its precincts. The measures were introduced to maintain order and neutrality inside the House, but they have sparked debate among legislators over how security officers interpret clothing that may resemble political party colours.
Responding to the matter, the presiding Speaker clarified that wearing a headscarf is allowed under Parliament’s standing rules and that female members are permitted to wear such attire. The clarification suggested that Muhia’s headscarf, on its own, was not prohibited.