By Abdullahi Jamaa
Women lawmakers have called for a coordinated national campaign to implement Kenya’s constitutional Two-Thirds Gender Rule ahead of the next General Election, saying stronger cooperation among political leaders, civil society, the media and development partners will be needed to achieve the long-delayed requirement.
The appeal was made during a legislative forum held in Nairobi on Monday and convened by Mzalendo with support from Uraia and the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia.
The legislators, led by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, said Kenya has yet to fulfil the constitutional gender principle despite more than 16 years having passed since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
“It is time we changed tact and work together with the media, civil society and development partners to build consensus on practical measures to realise the Two Thirds Gender Rule,” Wangari said during the forum, according to the post.
The event brought together members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and other leaders to discuss possible legislative and policy measures aimed at increasing women’s representation in elective office.
Among those who supported the proposal were Machakos MP Joyce Kamene, Mandera MP UmulKher Kassim, Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, and nominated senators Veronica Maina, Catherine Mumma and Esther Okenyuri.
The lawmakers said achieving the constitutional requirement would require bipartisan cooperation as well as support from male legislators, alongside sustained engagement with the media, civil society organisations and development partners.
Kamene urged women already serving in elected office to mentor aspiring female candidates and maintain high standards of leadership.
“The electorate are always watching and female leaders are judged by harsh standards. We should be good role models,” Kamene said.
Kassim argued that efforts to increase women’s political representation should extend beyond national discussions and focus more on communities across the country.
“We should get out of the boardrooms and go to the grassroots, if we are serious about increasing the number of female MCAs, MPs, Senators and Governors,” Kassim said.
With the next General Election approaching, the renewed call by women legislators signals growing efforts to build political consensus around implementation of one of the Constitution’s outstanding provisions.
