Women press AG over gender rule

What you need to know:

  • Ms Lichuma who spoke yesterday during a forum at Serena hotel in Nairobi also wants Prof Muigai to publish the Constitutional Amendment Bill proposed by the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the realization of the rule by next Wednesday.
  • The AG, in a letter to Leader of Majority Aden Duale and two committees of the National Assembly, advised that more time is required to enact the legislation to implement the gender rule as required by the Supreme Court.

Women leaders want Attorney General Githu Muigai to take a leading role in the implementation of the one third gender rule.

They want the AG to start by lobbying for political goodwill to facilitate realisation of the rule.

“The AG should guide the process for successful implementation of gender representation requirements,” said National Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Winnie Lichuma.

Ms Lichuma who spoke yesterday during a forum at Serena hotel in Nairobi also wants Prof Muigai to publish the Constitutional Amendment Bill proposed by the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the realization of the rule by next Wednesday.

“He needs to guide this country in a much better way because we have put all he needs on the table,” she stated.

“All we need him to do is to lobby for political goodwill. I’m sure with political goodwill, we shall be able to push the amendments through,” she said.

The consensus building forum brought together various partners pushing for the realization of the gender rule.

Ms Lichuma who sits in the TWG also disagreed with the AG’s position last week that more time is needed to implement the rule.

The AG, in a letter to Leader of Majority Aden Duale and two committees of the National Assembly, advised that more time is required to enact the legislation to implement the gender rule as required by the Supreme Court.

He said the Samuel Chepkonga-led committee has made progress on the two Bills and suggested working with the team to find the best possible formula. “The AG’s proposal is erroneous and is not in the interests of the country,” Ms Lichuma further said.