Lobby in court to stop 12th Parliament over gender rule

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has filed a fresh case seeking to stop the convening of Parliament over failure to meet the two-thirds gender rule.

FIDA further wants the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) stopped from presenting a list of elected Members of the National Assembly and Senators for swearing-in unless they meet the two-thirds gender threshold.

According to FIDA, the number of women elected to National Assembly and the Senate does not constitute one-third of elective positions and they argue that the houses cannot legally convene to transact any business.

Through their lawyer, the women lobby group argues that the constitutional deadline for passing two-thirds gender rule had passed and even after the High Court gave the 11th Parliament a 60-day grace period to enact the legislation, the MPs disregarded the ruling.

In the event that Parliament resumes before the case is concluded, FIDA want the court to direct that their first and only agenda on day one on their order of business be a legislation to implement the two-thirds gender rule.