MP calls for rejection of two-third gender rule Bill

Members of Parliament affiliated to the Jubilee coalition have been urged to shoot down the Constitutional Amendment 2015 Bill when it is tabled at the floor of the House on Thursday.

Endebess MP Robert Pukose said that passing of the bill would mean an increase in the number of MPs in the National Assembly by 70 through nomination bringing the total to 400.

He further said that the National Assembly is over-represented and needs to be trimmed to save the taxpayer unnecessary expenses.

Pukose called on female politicians to compete with their male counterparts for elective seats instead of relying on direct nominations.

This comes as pressure mounts from different quarters for MPs to pass the table when it is reintroduced in the House.

In a press briefing in Kisumu on Monday, the chairman to the Kisumu City Voice of Reasons Parliament Kevin Ngala said they are disappointed by MPs for failing to pass the Bill last week saying tejri actions is tantamount to disrespect.

Ngala noted that women, like other leaders, have equal stakes in leadership of the country and should be given a chance to lead.

National Council of NGOs has also appealed to MPs to avail themselves in the National Assembly on Thursday to ensure the Gender Rule Bill sails through.

The Council chairman Stephen Cheboi on Monday castigated MPs who failed to support the Bill when it was on the floor of the House last Wednesday warning that a flop in two second attempt would be a big blow for the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and CORD leader Raila Odinga’s calls to their troops to pass the bill failed to yield fruit after the Bill, which required 233 (two thirds) members to vote in favour for it to proceed to the third reading stage, failed to meet the required threshold with only 195 out of the 233 members present voting in support.

The Bill, published by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, would require any shortage in the number of gender representation be covered party nominations.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi however gave the Bill a new lifeline after ordering a fresh vote on May 5th at 2PM to allow time for consultation within party ranks.

@benjaminwafula