ODM leaders blame Uhuru, Ruto for gender rule Bill failure to pass

ODM leaders blame Uhuru, Ruto for gender rule Bill failure to pass

Four Orange Democratic Movement party members of Parliament from Siaya County are now blaming President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto for the failure of the gender rule Bill to pass.

MPs David Ochieng, Nicholas Gumbo, Opiyo Wandayi and Christine Ombaka claim Uhuru and Ruto have been engaging Jubilee MPs in other events outside Parliament every time the gender rule Bill was due to undergo a vote, denying it the required 233 votes.

Speaking at Sega Market in Ugenya, the opposition leaders said the president should have rallied all Jubilee MPs to be present in the House when the voting on the crucial Bill was brought.

The ODM legislators have faulted the Jubilee Government saying it should have done more to ensure the Bill that seeks to allow nomination of women to elected posts should those elected fail to reach one third of the total of those elected from both genders.

Meanwhile, the National Gender Equality Commission Chair Winfred Lichuma has challenged political parties leaders to ensure the Gender Rule Bill is approved by the National Assembly.

Lichuma said it is unfortunate that MPs have failed to pass the Bill twice after they failed to reach the required threshold to approve the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Speaking in Kwale County, Lichuma urged leaders of political parties to lobby for the passage of the Bill once it goes back to Parliament.

The National Assembly on Thursday failed to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2015 that seeks to ensure that no gender occupies more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats.

The Bill failed to garner the two-third majority votes required to ensure it sails through.

It had been given a second chance last week after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi ordered a fresh vote that was taken today (Thursday) to allow time for consultation within party ranks.

Of the 199 MPs present, 178 members voted in support of the Bill while 16 voted against the it. Five MPs abstained from taking a vote.

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

Additional writing by Benjamin Wafula

Tags:

ruto Uhuru gender rule Gender Rule Bill

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories