Nominated women senators hit back over laxity claims

Nominated women senators have defended themselves from allegations of persistent absenteeism and disinterest in the legislative duties of the House.

Their elected colleagues have claimed that many of them spend time on trips and others simply abscond duty because they are not under pressure to represent any particular county. This has raised fresh queries on the role of nominated senators.

The elected senators claim most of their nominated colleagues could be earning free money every month.

The Senate has 16 women who were nominated to fill up the numbers - to make sure that at least one-third of the House is made up of women. There are also four nominated senators, including two women, who are there to represent the youth and women. "They are free from demands of constituencies and should therefore perform better than the men, who are elected," said a senator who sought anonymity for fear of antagonising his colleagues.

The male colleagues - no woman was elected in the Senate - say the nominated senators are yet to make an impact in their representation of the youths and women.

The women senators have been censured for not being vocal in bringing out the gender aspect of devolution. Besides, they have also been faulted for not pushing for strategies to ensure women at the grassroots access government services and business opportunities in the counties. Instead, they have been accused of attending many foreign trips, and losing out on their legislative and oversight role.

But women senators strongly defended their legislative role, stressing the Hansard reports confirm their contribution.

Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi, Zipporah Kittony, Daisy Kanaiza and Joy Gwendo, who spoke to The Standard, said they are playing a very important role in empowering women, the youth and persons with disability.

Gender issues

"We are in a learning process and some of us have done a lot without being publicised. There are many challenges, which we need to take advantage of to build ourselves," said Elachi.

She continued: "We are yet to capitalise on the various opportunities we have to fight for our space. We are working closely with colleagues in the National Assembly to advocate for gender issues."

Elachi disclosed that the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association is working to ensure visibility of women in nation building.

"My colleagues should work with the media to bring out what they doing," said Elachi, who is credited with a number of Bills and Motions.

Kittony faulted the blanket condemnation of all women legislators, saying her performance in the Senate is well known and she has so far discharged her duties diligently.

"The Hansard reports will bear us out. This should not be a wholesome condemnation. I have discharged my duties a hundred per cent in plenary and committees," affirmed Kittony.

Gwendo directed The Standard writer to the Mzalendo website to check on her contribution. "My performance is public knowledge. Go to the website and check my contribution," said Gwendo.

Kanaiza stressed that every legislator has a mandate to perform and in the best of her knowledge, the women senators have done exceptionally well. She refuted claims of frequent foreign trips, saying every House committee has a specific budget and they are only entitled to two trips per financial year. "Other than the two, other organisations do invite us for trips but these are not-Senate sponsored," she explained.

She continued: "We have two projects we are currently working on, through the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, one on reproductive Health and Budgets in the counties. We are also visiting selected counties to empower women and offer mentorship."

Eighteen months after joining the Senate, some have done quite well in terms of oversight and legislation but others are conspicuously absent.

Debate motions

The lawmakers include Fatuma Dullo, Beatrice Elachi (Majority Whip), Joy Gwendo, Kisasa Mshenga Mvita, Lesuuda Naisula, Elizabeth Ongoro, Mohammed Halima Abdullai, Beth Mugo, Martha Wangari, Judith Sijeny, Janet Ongera, Catherine Mukiite, Liza Chelule, Emma Mbura, Zipporah Kittony (Trans Nzoia), Agnes Zani. Daisy Nyongesa represents youth and Godliver Omondi (persons with disability).

Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki has however come to their defence, stressing it is too early to begin judging the legislators. "There is not much difference in terms of oversight and legislation between the women senators and their male counterparts. Some of the senators are more active than others. They debate motions and legislations," he noted.