Embu County Woman Representative Pamela Njoki Njeru is facing mounting criticism after allegedly dismissing calls to support women suffering from endometriosis, sparking outrage on social media.
The controversy erupted following remarks Njoki made during the Day of the African Child 2024 event at CCM Karurumo Primary School, where cinematographer and youth’s rights advocate Olive Wambui appealed for the establishment of a dedicated endometriosis ward in Embu County.
Instead, Njoki responded by claiming she had personally been cured of the condition.
“I suffered the same many years ago. It is curable, only that we have not met a good doctor. You don’t need a ward, just professionals. You’re given medicine and in three to six months, it ends,” Njoki said during a speech recorded live by a local radio station.
Her remarks have been widely criticized as dismissive and misleading. Wambui, who works with Maisha Youth organization, described the statement as “the highest insult to women from a woman leader,” especially as it came on the same day fellow endometriosis sufferer Njambi Fyah Mummah was being buried.
“I only asked her to help advocate for a specialist in Embu. Instead, she claimed to be cured and dismissed the need for a ward,” Wambui told local media.
Frustrated followers in a WhatsApp group named Waembu Onliners, with over 990 members, echoed similar sentiments.
A user identified as Linn accused the Woman Rep of deploying bloggers to insult critics instead of addressing serious issues. Another, Munene Gakure, termed the behavior “reckless.”
In response to the backlash, Njoki denied ever belittling the issue or sending anyone to harass critics.
“The only time I met her was at Karurumo during Children’s Day when she raised the issue. I offered to connect her to a doctor. She never followed up,” Njoki said via a text message, adding that her office does not condone online abuse.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endometriosis is a chronic, incurable condition that affects one in 10 women of reproductive age.
It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain and potentially leading to infertility. There is no known cure, though symptoms can be managed with medical or surgical interventions.
Local activists continue to demand accountability and concrete action from leaders, urging Njoki to prioritize healthcare access for women suffering from endometriosis in Embu County.
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