A constitutional law has turned out to be a battle of slay queens and slay kings in Kenya.The argument seems to be rallying for who deserves to walk into parliament and who deserves to sweat their way there. Will the kings or queens have it?
“Not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender,” says Article 81 (b) of the Constitution.
Because the Constitution did not dictate on how the two-thirds gender rule can be implemented, the attorney-general’s office sought an advisory from the Supreme Court on how to meet the requirement.
Given that it is a constitutional matter, the bill needs a nod from two-thirds of the House to sail through to the next stage.All eyes are on the Assembly.
Jubilee and ODM are the two biggest parties in the House and their support is crucial to the bill sailing through. Jubilee has 140 MPs followed by ODM with 62.
Debate on the bill started on Tuesday but many MPs have kept off while some have openly said they will not pass it despite direction from their party leaders.
Those opposed to the bill claim it will open a door for “slay queens to slay or massage their way into the national assembly”.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga have summoned their MPs to urgent meetings next week to rally support for the ‘Gender Bill’.
Both Jubilee and ODM have called Parliamentary Group meetings on Tuesday to try and whip their MPs to attend Wednesday’s sitting and approve the proposed amendment which will see another 21 women nominated to Parliament.
The Bill requires the support of 233 MPs (two thirds of all the members) to pass. If it sails through and the President assents to it, it will be effective after the 2022 General Election.
Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association chairlady Wangui Ngirici yesterday revealed to a news paper that President Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto will hold a meeting with the Jubilee Parliamentary Group.
She expressed optimism that the quorum will be achieved.
“I am aware that leaders of political parties have committed to hold Parliamentary Group meetings where members will be whipped over this matter. I can assure you that we will achieve the quorum on that day. I can feel it,” the Kirinyaga Woman Representative said.
“The President of Kenya took an oath to protect this Constitution and he will certainly do that on this particular matter,” she added.
Analysts are skeptical the bill will attract enough support.
Do you think the bill will be assented?