The 2/3 gender bill continues to draw attention from key political leaders with the latest to add his voice to the ongoing debate being ODM Chief Raila Odinga.
The former PM has urged Members of Parliament to support the two thirds gender rule Bill set to be tabled before the House on Tuesday.
The Bill will come before the House for the second time after it was shot down the first time in a well-calculated move where male MPs embargoed the vote thereby denying the obligatory numbers to have it pass.
“Raila Odinga urges all members of parliament to stand up for the Constitution and for women by voting for the Bill when it comes up this week,” reads the statement sent by the former premier’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango.
“Mr. Odinga urges Parliament to take into consideration Kenya’s poor showing on gender parity which goes against not only regional but also global trends, with negative implications for the country’s economic, political and social progress.”
According to Odinga, the two thirds gender rule Bill aims at spearheading the country towards realizing equality as well as freedom from discrimination for women.
The Opposition leader further stated that the Bill is set to enable the country’s gender representation in Parliament to be at par with those of neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi.
“The Bill is being re-introduced against a background where Kenya, despite being a dominant political and economic power in the region, remains the only country yet to establish an affirmative action programme for gender representation in Parliament,” added the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party chief.
Raila’s declaration comes just a day after President Kenyatta called on members of Parliament to consider passing the two-thirds gender rule to ensure the country heeds to constitutional demands.
Speaking during the unveiling of Gachororo PCEA Church in Juja on Sunday, President Kenyatta also challenged women to wake up from their comfort zones and fight for their space against men.
“Don’t wait for nominations, wake up and compete with men because Kenya is yours, you are populous and I want to help you to settle leadership positions before the end of my tenure. You have been born leaders but men have been inflicting fears in you,” he said.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on his part promised to lobby his colleagues to back the Bill in the Senate.
“In the Senate we assure you we shall stand with the constitution as it is and support our women get their right share for what they deserve in the constitution. I know my colleagues in the parliament are seeking excuses to flop the bill but we cannot debate with the constitution as it is,” said the leader of majority in the Senate.
“We passed the constitution as it is and we believe in our mothers and sisters. I believe my colleagues in parliament will jointly stand as men who have wives, daughters and sisters to ensure that two third gender rule is fully enacted.” he added.
Do you support the passing of the 2/3 gender bill to law?