Politicians in fresh push for the two-third gender rule

Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu addresses the media during the launch of Women Affirmative Action and implementation of the two-third gender rule at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu town on May 23, 2018. [Photo, File]

A group of politicians consisting of former aspirants and former MPs have embarked on a fresh push for the adoption of the two-third gender rule.

Led by former Dhiwa MP Augustino Neto, the group launched an intensive lobbying in to ensure County Assemblies, the National Assembly as well as the Senate  abides by the gender rule.

Their quest comes about a month after the bill on two-third gender rule flopped in Parliament despite intense lobbying from several quarters including from the presidency.

This was after several MPs boycotted sittings on the day the bill was presented for debate resulting to a quorum hitch in the house.

However, the Neto led United Green Movement told journalists in Kisumu that they will not relent in their push for equality as well as advocating for the social rights of Kenyans.

“We have launched a campaign on the two-third gender rule. It is saddening to note that past attempts to make the rule work in Kenya have collapsed including the recent bill that collapsed in parliament,” said Neto.

The former legislator noted that the group has also started the process of mobilising county assemblies across the country to support the initiative in order to ensure that women in the country are also given an equal chance.

As parts of their efforts to draw support for their initiative, the group has also embarked on grassroots mobilisation aimed at enlighting Kenya on the need to continue drumming up support for the rights of women.

They held a rally at Kondele where they highlighted to the residents the need for lawmakers to push for a law to support the two-third gender rule.

“We are a political movement which believes in feminism and that is why we must support equal rights for everyone,” said Neto.

They have planned to take their campaign across the country and also meet parliamentarians as well as members of the Senate.

According to Cheryuit Baliany, a politician from Bomet County, a failure by the country to give women equal opportunity risks dragging the country backward.

“A law on the two-third gender rule should be passed. As citizens, we should also elect our women for some of the seats,” he said.

The group also vowed to lodge a legal suit against the Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Ny’ongo’s government and the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) for demolishing Kondele Market, which served hundreds of locals.

They argued that the women who have always relied on the market for their livelihoods were never given notice to vacate the market prior to the demolitions.

“Kisumu county government should give the women an alternative place to conduct their businesses,” said Neto.