Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has come out to oppose the two-thirds gender rule contained in the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2018 that is sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.
Kabogo was reacting to a Twitter post by The Star in which Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa had cautioned Members of Parliament against passing the Bill.
“Two-Third Gender Bill will bring lazy slay queens to Parliament, I won't support it,” said Barasa during a debate in Parliament.
On his part, Kabogo said both genders should compete in the elections, instead of setting aside certain positions for women leaders.
Other leaders from Kiambu who have opposed the Bill include Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former women rep aspirant Gladys Chania.
“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,” said Kuria in a sarcastic Facebook post on Sunday.
The Bill has however received support from top politicians in the country including President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto as well as Nasa principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Uhuru rubbished claims that the Bill will increase the country’s wage bill, adding that it seeks to put to an end gender imbalance in the country.
The Bill’s second reading took place in Parliament yesterday (Tuesday), drawing mixed reactions among members.
This bill is in accordance with Article 81(b) of the Constitution which states that: “Not more than two-thirds of the member of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender.”