Women Members of Parliament have called for a coordinated national effort to finally realise the Two-Thirds Gender Rule ahead of Kenya’s next General Election, saying collaboration across different sectors will be critical to meeting the constitutional requirement.
Speaking during a legislative forum convened by Mzalendo with support from Uraia and the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia, Gilgil MP Martha Wangari said Kenya has failed to attain the constitutional threshold 16 years after the promulgation of the Constitution.
Wangari urged Parliament, the media, civil society organisations, development partners and the public to work together in building consensus on practical measures to increase women’s representation in elective leadership.
“It is time we changed tact and work together with the media, civil society and development partners to build consensus on practical measures to realise the Two-Thirds Gender Rule,” she said.
The forum brought together members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), including Machakos MP Joyce Kamene, Mandera Woman Representative Umul Ker Kassim, Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, and nominated Senators Veronica Maina, Catherine Mumma and Esther Okenyuri.
The legislators stressed that achieving the constitutional gender principle will require bipartisan cooperation as well as support from male lawmakers to create a more inclusive political environment.
Kamene challenged women leaders to mentor aspiring female candidates and demonstrate exemplary leadership, noting that women in politics often face greater public scrutiny than their male counterparts.
“The electorate are always watching and female leaders are judged by harsh standards. We should be good role models,” she said.
Kassim called for intensified grassroots mobilisation, arguing that efforts to increase women’s representation should extend beyond policy discussions in Nairobi.
“We should get out of the boardrooms and go to the grassroots if we are serious about increasing the number of female MCAs, MPs, Senators and Governors,” she said.
The lawmakers expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among stakeholders could help Kenya finally implement the constitutional gender principle ahead of the next General Election.
