Women leaders protest trashing of the two-thirds gender bill

Women leaders have protested the Senate’s decision to dump proposals seeking to have more women nominated to parliament.

The Senate Legal Affairs and Justice Committee, in its annual report tabled last week, said the impact of the current crop of nominated women to both the National Assembly and Senate was yet to be felt.

The committee is chaired by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2019, sponsored by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and his nominated counterpart Farhiya Ali, had proposed an amendment to the Constitution to give effect to the two-thirds gender principle through creation of what they termed as ‘special seats’.

But the report tabled in the House further noted that women politicians have come of age and are now capable of giving their male counterparts a run for their money, and should not just be given special seats without putting in any effort.

Yesterday, women leaders expressed their displeasure with the report and are seeking audience to discuss the matter further.

“The nominated women leaders are playing their rightful role, in fact in the Senate, the most active members are nominated women. All special seat holders are playing their rightful roles,” said Priscilla Nyokabi, commissioner, National Gender Equality Commission.

The women leaders said they reject the ongoing narrative that women are overly-represented and contribute to the high wage bill.

“We commend women senators for taking a strong stand against the position and calling for the resubmission of the Bill,” said Ms Nyokabi.

Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar said the truth about performance needs to be brought out. “If you look at the House, the performance of women is far much better,” said Prof Kamar.

The leaders said violence against women and children was escalating.

“We have witnessed violent language and threats against female MPs,” said Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirici.