Gender Bill fails to go through as deadline draws closer

Gender Bill fails to go through as deadline draws closer

The Gender Bill before the Senate suffered another major blow after the legislators failed to debate it for lack of quorum Wednesday, three days to the constitutional deadline of August 27, 2016.

The Bill, sponsored by Nominated Senator Judith Sijeny’s, failed to get the requisite number of votes in the Senate effectively resulting in a deferral to a later date.

Speaking at the floor of the House, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale said: “In view of the provision of Article 1 (2), the people may exercise their sovereign power.”

“The Bill seeks to give positions to some special members, who will exercise, indirectly, the sovereign power of the people.”

“It is disappointing that even out of the 16 women Senators, only six are present yet they should show moral support,” said Senator Billow Kerrow.

There was a question on whether there would be a constitutional crisis should be Bill, which has twice failed to pass in the National Assembly, fails. National Assembly Speaker, Justin Muturi, has dismissed reports of a possible constitutional crisis.

Last week, Muturi said Parliament would not be dissolved just for failing to pass the two-third gender bill, saying the country needs all the three arms of government to function well.

Religious leaders have also expressed concerns after the Bill failed to pass saying it was disappointing that only six female Senators showed up for the debate.

“We are very disappointed that in every instance there has not been sufficient numbers when it comes up,” said Canon Karanja of the National Council of Churches of Kenya.

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