Women MPs say gender bill not meant to create new posts for allies
Some MPs hold a discussion during the debate on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2018 in the House on November 21, 2018. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The bill seeks to ensure that both Houses comply with the two-third gender requirement.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said that the bill is not bad, but noted that there must be a nomination procedure so that deserving cases are not sacrificed at the altar of political interests.
Women MPs have defended the gender bill, saying that it will not benefit “slay queens” or girlfriends and boyfriends of the political and business class as insinuated by some of their male colleagues.
This comes as Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu described the bill as a manifestation of laziness in complying with the constitutional requirement that not more than two-third holders of appointive and elective seats in public office shall be of the same gender.
