Women MPs lobby for Bill support
Nyeri County Women Representative Priscilla Nyokabi distributes bursary cheques to needy Form One students on March 7, 2016. Ms Nyokabi is lobbying for the implementation of the gender principle Bill. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- In the meantime, there could be another dinner and a dance this week, an informal meeting — known in Parliament parlance as ‘kamukunji’ — and then lobbying.
- At an African Women’s Development and Communication Network (Femnet) forum on Thursday, those in attendance said President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto should turn up in Parliament for the repeat vote.
Women lawmakers are pressing on with the lobbying of MPs to support a Bill to implement the gender principle by planning on requesting National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to move the vote to Wednesday, in a bid to get more colleagues in the chamber.
Nyeri Woman Representative Priscilla Nyokabi told the Nation on Thursday that the idea had been mooted because the Parliament goes on recess on Thursday and traditionally, attendance before a break is poor.
That idea is still under consideration as women MPs explore a range of options to get their male counterparts show up and vote for the Bill, which is sponsored by Majority Leader Aden Duale and backed by the Executive.
In the meantime, there could be another dinner and a dance this week, an informal meeting — known in Parliament parlance as ‘kamukunji’ — and then lobbying.
First to be targeted will be the 28 male MPs who voted against the Bill on Wednesday. The second meeting will target the 195 who voted for the proposed law.
Nominated Senator Agnes Zani (ODM) said in their post-vote evaluation on Thursday, it was agreed that every member of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association would talk to MPs who abstained or voted against the Bill.
Ms Nyokabi said they would also ask Jubilee Cord principals to rally their troops in support of the Bill.
At an African Women’s Development and Communication Network (Femnet) forum on Thursday, those in attendance said President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto should turn up in Parliament for the repeat vote.
Ms Winfred Lichuma, the chairperson of the Gender and Equality Commission, said it was necessary for the President to show up in Parliament.
“He means well for the women of Kenya. He and his deputy should be in Parliament in solidarity with women,” she said.
Ms Lichuma added that she would seek Mr Ruto’s intervention on 10 URP lawmakers who voted against the Bill.
But while the Bill’s proponents increase the hype, some of their tactics appeared to have failed.
Sirisia MP John Waluke was among the opposers. The retired military officer said he was angered by a “threatening” message from the Federation of Women Lawyers that morning.
“When I received the text message from Fida, I said I was not going to be intimidated,” he said.
Part of the message read: “We will be watching and counting on you to vote for the Bill.”
Mr Waluke said turnout for Thursday’s vote would be lower than the last one.
A number of MPs echoed Mr Waluke’s sentiments, saying they would not be in Parliament.
