Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has stirred debate following comments made during a Senate committee visit on June 19, 2025, where he lamented that “beautiful Taita girls” are being married by men from other counties, leaving locals with “short and quarrelsome” women.
The remarks, reported widely on social platforms, have drawn mixed reactions, with some criticising the governor for perpetuating stereotypes and others viewing the statement as a light-hearted jest.
The controversy has spotlighted issues of cultural identity and marriage trends in Taita Taveta County.
Speaking at the event, Mwadime expressed concern over what he described as an exodus of Taita women marrying outside the county, suggesting it impacts local demographics and cultural cohesion.
“Our beautiful girls are taken by people from other counties, and we are left with the short and quarrelsome ones,” he stated.
The comments, made in the presence of county officials and senators, were intended to highlight the need for community-focused development but instead ignited a firestorm of online discourse.
Critics, including gender equality advocates, have condemned Mwadime’s remarks as insensitive, arguing they reinforce harmful stereotypes about women.
Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime laments of beautiful Taita girls being married by people from other counties. Says they are only left with short and quarrelsome girls. pic.twitter.com/mlO8GAKeBS
— Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) June 20, 2025
“Such statements from a public official undermine efforts to promote respect and equality,” said Jane Msafiri, a Mombasa-based women’s rights activist.
Others, however, defended the governor, suggesting his comments were a humorous attempt to address local concerns about inter-county marriages.
The issue of inter-county marriages is not new in Taita Taveta, where proximity to Mombasa and other regions facilitates cultural exchange. A 2024 report by The Standard noted that cross-county unions are rising, driven by economic opportunities and urban migration.
Mwadime’s administration has prioritised initiatives like the KES 263 million Voi road project to boost local development, potentially addressing factors driving out-migration.
