NAIROBI: A human rights agency has been enjoined in a case where two lobby groups want Parliament compelled to pass the two-thirds gender rule.

Justice Joseph Onguto allowed the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to be party to the case after the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (Creaw) and Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust (Crawn Trust) said they had no objection to the request.

The lobbyists' lawyer, Dismas Wambola, argued that the dispute should be heard under a certificate of urgency before the current Parliament's term expires.

"There is a short time remaining before the next General Election and Parliament has not complied with the constitutional requirement to pass necessary laws to conform to the gender rule. That is why the petition needs to be determined quickly," said Mr Wambola.

The groups sued the Attorney General, National Assembly and the Senate for failing to enact the two-thirds gender rule, and want a court order to force the MPs to pass the law.