Kenyan women urged to withhold sex until their husbands register to vote
MP Mishi Mboko said it was the 'best strategy' to adopt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kenyan women have been urged to withhold sex from their husbands until they register to vote in the August elections.
Mishi Mboko, an MP in the African country, said it was the “best” strategy to adopt to increase the number of votes in opposition strongholds.
The women’s representative for the city of Mombasa told local media that sex was a powerful weapon and would serve as a bargaining chip for those reluctant to register.
“Women, this is the strategy you should adopt. It is the best. Deny them sex until they show you their voter's card," she said.
Registration for the general election, when the country will select its next President, ends on 17 February.
Ms Mboko said her own husband would be spared from the boycott as he had already registered to vote, the The Standard newspaper reported.
Current President Uhuru Kenyatta will seek a second term in the upcoming vote.
However, he is expected to be challenged by an opposition candidate representing an alliance of opposition parties, including Ms Mboko's party the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Ms Mboko said it had reached the point where the elections needed to be taken “seriously” and called on women to take the step.
Sex boycotts are common in Kenya. In 2009, women activists held a week-long sex strike to get then President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and their allies to reconcile after falling out.
The activists encouraged the wives of the politicians to participate and offered to compensate prostitutes in the country for lost earnings if they agreed to join in.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments