Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism, Sonia Nzilani, has broken her silence following her recent suspension.
Nzilani clarified that her remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context, asserting that her intention was to address the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict.
“My speech was misquoted, and it caused unnecessary anger. I sincerely apologize and hope people understand that my primary aim is to safeguard both the community and wildlife,” she stated.
The controversy began last week when Nzilani claimed that crocodiles are likely to attack menstruating women because they can detect the scent of blood from a distance.
She advised parents to discourage menstruating daughters from fetching water from rivers, sparking a wave of criticism both online and offline.
On Monday, her suspension was officially announced, prompting further discussion about the remarks.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili weighed in on the matter, apologizing on behalf of the county government.
She emphasized that Nzilani’s comments did not reflect the position of the Makueni county Government.
“The county, in partnership with the Department of Gender and Social Services, has worked tirelessly to dispel harmful myths and misconceptions about menstrual hygiene. We remain committed to advancing menstrual health education,” Mulili said.
