By Martin Mutua

Cabinet ministers, civil society groups, and political party officials have differed over implementation of the one-third gender rule for women representation.

The country faces a major constitutional crisis come next elections if the matter is not adequately addressed.

At a workshop convened jointly by ministries of Justice and Gender in Mombasa, participants failed to agree on how to unlock the quagmire. Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, who officially opened the workshop, warned the matter was “weighty and needs to be handled carefully”.

The meeting, which was also organised in conjunction with Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa), saw tension rise as speakers took hardline positions.

Requisite days

Kewopa was pushing for MPs to agree to pass a constitutional amendment that had been drafted by former Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo last year whose requisite 90 days matured in February this year.

However, majority of MPs rejected the proposed amendment to the Constitution describing it as “flawed”. The amendment sought to equitably share women seats through nomination and party lists.

It also had amendment to the election date. However, this has been overtaken by events with the ruling of the High Court. Majority of MPs led by Cabinet minister Fred Gumo, Dalmas Otieno and Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo and his Belgut counterpart Charles Keter objected that women be accorded easy passage to Parliament through nomination by parties.

Amicable solution

Gumo was more candid when he said if it was allowed women be nominated by political parties, then it is only the elite in Nairobi and those close to party leaders who will be given the slots.

“We must minimise nomination of women because only those who are known and are close to party leaders are more likely to be nominated,” added Gumo as he was applauded.

Otieno said whereas he was in agreement that one-third rule was a governance principle whose time has come, there was need to find an amicable solution. Centre for Multiparty Democracy chairman Justin Muturi said the country was likely to find itself in crisis come next year.