DP Ruto urges MPs to pass Two Thirds Gender Rule

Deputy President William Ruto has expressed confidence that Members of Parliament will pass the Two Thirds Gender Rule that is set to be tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Mr. Ruto said he is impressed that some MPs who were opposed to the passage of the bill have now reconsidered their stand and have since promised to support the new bill by the National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.

“I am happy that some MPs who have been difficult and opposed to the passage of the bill including my friend Jimmy Angwenyi have now agreed to support it. I am optimistic that all will be well this time round,” said Mr Ruto.

Speaking during a tour of development projects in Kisii County on Saturday, Mr Ruto urged MPs to turn up in numbers on Tuesday and honour women by support the bill.

Among the areas the Deputy President addressed wananchi included Nyakoora Catholic Church in Kitutu Chache, Nyachogocoge primary school in Bobasi and Nyamecheo parish in Bomachoge Borabu Constituencies.

Ruto said it was time both political leadership in the house shunned political competition and support the bill for the common good of Kenyan women, saying the bill had nothing to do with political parties.

The Deputy President said women deserve an opportunity to be enjoined in the leadership of the country.

“Our women who form 50 percent of our country’s population deserve an opportunity to be enjoined in the leadership of our great nation,” said Mr. Ruto.

He went on: “Women are the most loyal, most trusted voters and most dependable. This is why its time for male MPs to show women that they appreciate the fact that they are indeed loyal, trusted and dependable by trusting them with leadership positions through the passage of the gender bill.”

Present were Governor James Ongwae (Kisii), his deputy Joash Maangi, MPs Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North), Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Wainaina wa Jungle (Thika Town), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Alpha Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), Zadoc Ogutu (Bomachoge Borabu), Oroo Ayioko (Bonchari, Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Chache) and Innocent Obiri (Bobasi).

The MPs on their part said they would support the gender bill that aims to address gender disparity in the country’s leadership.

“On behalf of 14 MPs from Kisii region, I want to assure women that we will support the gender bill that seeks to increase the number of women in leadership in our country,” said Mr. Onyonka.

Governor Ongwae said county governments were working together with the national government in addressing challenges facing its citizens.

“We have a good working relationship with the Jubilee administration on matters of development. In fact I was yesterday (Friday) in a meeting in State House with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Deputy President discuss on ways of serving our people better,” said Mr. Ongwae.

Mr. Ongwae urged MPs to support the gender bill for the sake of the future development of women leadership in the country.

The Deputy President also asked leaders to work together and discourage politics of animosity.

He said time when politics based on tribalism were used to create enmity among Kenyans were long gone, saying leaders should work towards the unity of all Kenyans.

“Elections and looking for leadership positions ended during the last general election. What’s remaining is for us as leaders to serve the people because we were elected by voters so that we serve them,” said Mr. Ruto.

He told leaders to concentrate on matters of development, saying Kenyans would have the opportunity to elect development conscious leaders when the right time comes.

At the same time, the MPs said they would support the Deputy President for presidency in 2022 when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term in office comes to an end, saying Mr. Ruto’s development track record was clear.

Mr. Onyonka said he has resolved to work with Jubilee because it was committed to addressing challenges facing Kenyans irrespective of how they voted during the last general election.

“I have decided to work with Jubilee because of hard work and commitment by the Government to serve Kenyans,” said Mr. Onyonka.

They said the Abagausii community would rally behind the leadership of Mr Ruto in 2022.

“I know in 2021, other politicians will start running here looking for votes yet they have nothing to show in terms of development projects. We have decided we will support Mr Ruto because of his development track record,” said Mr Onyonka.

Mr. Tongi and Mr. Obiri said the Deputy President has demonstrated that he is a true friend of the people of Abagusii community.

“Mr Ruto is the only leader who comes to Kisii to engage on matters of development. The rest only come here during campaigns to solicit for votes during elections yet they know nothing about development,” said Mr. Tongi.

“We will continue to support the Deputy President because few people who have been in big positions in this country are accessible to leaders and wananchi. We thank Mr. Ruto for always honouring our invitations to Kisii and Nyamira Counties to participate on development,” said Mr. Obiri.