Kisumu women to sit more ‘decently’ on boda boda

By HEZRON OCHIEL

Kisumu County; Kenya: Kisumu County Assembly debated motions on cultural practices including one that could see women compelled to embrace a ‘decent’ sitting position while riding on motorcycles.

Women wearing skirts will be required to sit sideways instead of facing the riders as per the Luo tradition, if the Bill becomes a by-law.

“Women sit with their legs apart - ‘bet angewa’ - and it portrays a bad image. This is not allowed in Luo culture,” said Caroline Owen, the Kisumu North Ward representative.

She claimed the sitting position was uncultured and deprives women of respect because they ‘expose their bodies to men’

On health, the assembly proposed the use of traditional medicine to supplement conventional drugs in hospitals and bridge the gap in drug access.  “For ordinary mwananchi to access drugs they must part with a large amount of money. In addition, the bureaucracy in hospitals is too much,” argued Nyakach Central ward representative, Elijah Omollo.

The assembly also proposed enactment of stringent by-laws that protect children’s rights through introduction of castration for men who marry underage girls.

The county logo, number plate and the flag were not left behind in the motions discussed in the last session. Members said these items should be designed in line with the physical features and the county’s surrounding environment namely fish, the lake, agriculture and animals.

In a bid to increase revenue collection, a review of levies being imposed at various markets was debated.

The assembly was given recommendations by the County Committee on Delegation and Legislation, in which the executive was asked to draft a financial Bill to enhance their mandate to collect revenue, a document that must be gazetted upon approval by the County Assembly once ready.

In the Kisii County Assembly, members demanded for a statement from the County Executive Member in charge of Roads, on the erection of illegal speed bumps on local roads.

They were concerned over the rising number of illegal speed bumps erected on urban and rural roads.