Molo MP Kuria Kimani has opposed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

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The MP, popularly known as KK, said what Kenyans need are leaders regardless of gender or age.

The legislator, in supporting his decision to rubbish calls to support the Bill, said Kenyans have always voted for women or youth as long as such people have demonstrated leaders.

“We do not need a gender bill to elect women leaders. We need leaders. Good leaders. Whether young, old, woman or man; and we have demonstrated we can do so when we get such good leaders,” the youthful MP said.

KK gave an example of Nakuru County where three female politicians floored male contenders in the 2017 general elections.

“Out of the 13 elective seats for Nakuru county; 11 elected MPs, 1 senatorial and 1 gubernatorial position; 4 positions were competitively won by women (Senate, MP Naivasha, MP Gilgil, MP Njoro) and two by youth (Molo and Gilgil), he said.

According to the MP, the Nakuru case where Senator Susan Kihika, Gilgil MP Martha Wangari and Njoro MP Charity Kathambi won competitively is a sure way to show that no gender needs special law on representation as Kenyans are ready to pick leaders from any gender.

The Bill is receiving opposing from several MPs despite political bigwigs Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi as well as President Uhuru Kenyatta called on their party’s MPs to support the bill.

“While this is a good step in trying to fix the problem of having few women representatives in this House, it is a lazy way of going about it. Let’s bite the bullet and make a proper legislation that will ensure the women are also represented here. Otherwise this is too lazy and won’t work,” Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu said.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has also, though tactfully, opposed the bill.

“If no woman is elected in any of the 290 constituencies, we will need to nominate 87 women thus bringing the national assembly to 435 members from the current 348. Not a big deal. Some members will sit at the public and speaker's galleries,” the MP said sarcastically.

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