Kewopa change of guard sparks division

The purge of Deputy President William Ruto allies in the National Assembly continues with the axe now landing at Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa).

Women legislators on Tuesday elected Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba as chairperson replacing Kirinyaga Women Rep Purity Ngirici, a key Ruto ally, who took over the position in January 2018.

Ms Ngirici yesterday told Nation she had contested the leadership changes claiming the association’s constitution was ignored. She said she had written to the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly.

“The meeting held on Tuesday, was improperly convened and did not follow procedure according to Kewopa’s constitution, which is clear on how a chairperson can be removed. There was no seven days’ notice as is required before any changes are made. The association secretariat was not notified until Tuesday morning which was the day the purported election,” said Ms Ngirici.

The MP said the association’s constitution says that to oust a chairperson, 72 lawmakers must approve and the quorum must consist of at least 34 members.

Two years

She claimed only 28 MPs attended the meeting, while only 65 allegedly approved her ouster, adding that some had confided in her that they were coerced by their parties.

The lawmaker noted that Kewopa leadership holds office until the end of the parliamentary term, which means her term expires in two years.

“I have not given any notice of resignation, neither have I been notified in writing or verbally of any gross violation. Those seeking to remove me should follow the law,” she said.

Kewopa is a membership association for women parliamentarians drawn from across all political parties both elected and nominated in the Senate and National Assembly. 

Political divisions

In the new line up, Ms Wamuchomba will be deputised by Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu and Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga. Likoni MP Mishi Mboko will serve as the secretary-general, with Charity Chepkwony (Njoro) as her deputy.

Speaking after being elected, the Kiambu Woman Rep dismissed allegations by Ms Ngirici saying women leaders had unanimously agreed that political divisions would not deter the association to move to the next level.

She said her key focus would be to deliver on the women agenda.

The legislator said Kewopa had unanimously resolved to steer a united women agenda on ensuring they deliver interventions on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), teenage pregnancy and child abuse.

Protect women's rights

She said the association would be tasked to advocate for protection of justice and human rights to the vulnerable, noting that it would expedite legislations that protect family dignity and women's rights such as the Succession Bill, Widows Bill, Children’s Bill and many others that have been pending.

“We shall work with other relevant agencies that encompass the women agenda such as the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” she said.

Ms Wamuchomba also noted that Kewopa supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“Kewopa supports the proposal of one woman and one man being elected to the Senate and all counties to ensure equity. We are also pushing for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule,” she said.

The association, she added, is opposed to the proposed merger of NGEC and KNCHR.