Some 11 MPs have launched a campaign for a million signatures to push for amendment of the Constitution to effect the one-third gender rule that will see 136 elective positions set aside for women.
Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto said parliamentary initiatives had failed to effect the two-third gender rule that requires women to occupy at least a third of all the elective posts.
The MP said the campaign dubbed 'The Green Amendment Campaign' and which involves collection of a million signatures was supported by article 257 of the Constitution.
"Even if a bill is introduced in Parliament today, it is not tenable to have the implementation of the two-third gender principle by the August 27 deadline in the Constitution. That's why we have opted for the popular initiative," said Neto during the launch of the campaign at Khadija grounds in Mombasa on Saturday.
The campaign captured in the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2015 is pushing for the amendment of Articles 89 and 97 of the Constitution; which will see two constituencies in every county set aside for women to compete through elective process.
Women MPs backed the amendment, saying it would ease work on the women reps who they argued could not serve adequately in counties. They further opposed nomination, which they said was not fair as was controlled by nominating authorities. "We want women to square it out at the ballot through an elective process," said Garissa Woman Rep Shukran Gure.
Kakamega Woman Rep Racheal Ameso called on women across the country to back the bill that will realise an increase of women in elective posts ahead of the 2017 General Election.
United Republican Party nominated MP Sarah Lekorere said the issue of women inclusion was beyond party politics. Nominated MP Zuleikha Hassan said the bill once enacted will see women compete for elective posts rather than being nominated, which she said reduced their political clout.
Wajir South MP Abdullahi Diriye, Ol Jorok MP John Muriithi, Matungulu's Stephen Mule, Kibrah's Ken Okoth, Kilifi Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa and Mombasa's Mishi Juma attended the launch.
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