Leaders support law on gender rule

Legislators from three regions have pledged to rally their support behind the implementation of the one-third gender rule in Parliament.

MPs from Rift valley, Western and Coast said they were in solidarity with women as they fight for proper representation in Parliament.

Speaking in Mombasa over the weekend, Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Ekwe Ethuro (Turkana), Joyce Laboso (Sotik) and Sophia Abdi (Nominated) agreed that women deserve more seats in the legislature.

“The one third is not enough and as women you are capable of even attaining half the representation if you want,” said Mr Ruto in Mombasa at the weekend.

He said that in some countries, women leaders have worked so hard to the extent that they have gained the confidence and support of men.

“In countries such as Sweden and some countries in North America, men leave most positions to women because they work well,” he said.

He further told women that seeking elective positions would give them an upper hand in solving problems that affect them.

“I stand for women leadership. The Constitution has given you the opportunity to lead so go for leadership positions and vote for leaders who have supported women from the start,” added Mr Ethuro.

Sotik MP Joyce Laboso meanwhile urged women to seek elective positions stressing that relying on the nomination process is risky.

Her counterpart Sophia Abdi told women to minimise their support for male leaders and begin supporting fellow women who are vying for positions.

The MPs also called for peace in the coming elections.

“Kenya is ours, let us vote peacefully. We may be in different parties supporting different leaders but let us not hate one another and encourage violence,” she said.

Attorney-General Githu Muigai has filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking interpretation on how the one third gender rule can be attained.