President Uhuru Kenyatta declared his stand on a bill that could increase the number of Members of Parliament after the 2022 General Election.
He was speaking at a church service in PCEA Berea Church in Juja on Sunday when he urged MPs to pass the Gender Parity Bill that was introduced by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.
“Na nii ndiramenya nikii kiramumakia. Muramakio nikii na thutha wa kahinda kidogo tu iti icio ni iguthira (I do not know what you’re worried about, after all this is for a short while and these seats will no longer exist),” he stated
If it passes, the ill will translate to the nomination of more women into parliament thereby further stretching the ballooning wage bill.
The President promised to assist more women to clinch elective seats in the next general elections saying that he won’t be seeking votes again.
“You’re the one who voted me in massively and now that I won’t be seeking for your votes again, I will be helping you clinch elective positions in the country,’ Uhuru told the Kenyan women.
Deputy President William Ruto has also appealed to Jubilee lawmakers to approve the Bill when it comes to the floor of the house on Tuesday.
However, the proposed law has faced criticism from a section of parliamentarians who have vowed to shoot it down.
Nominated MP David Sankok stated that the National Gender and Equality Commission and drafters of the Bill should go back to the drawing board and have women participate in elective seats other than waiting for nomination.
“This country is over-represented and we need women seats distributed selectively to factor in the disabled, youth and those in rural areas,” he complained.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked MPs to pass the two-thirds gender rule set to be tabled in the National Assembly tomorrow.
Uhuru told legislators to ensure that they act accordingly and fully implement the Constitution by passing the Bill that is sponsored by National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale.
Speaking yesterday at a fundraiser at PCEA Berea Church in Gachororo, Juja town, Uhuru said the Bill will pave way for women in the country to rise to top government positions as well as bring an end to the gender imbalance in the country.
“I know some people are saying that the Bill will increase the country’s wage bill. But the earlier Bill has been amended and the seats that have been set have decreased according to our constitution. I therefore humbly request the MPs to pass the Bill so that we can prove that we have fully heeded to what our constitution requires of us,” Uhuru said.
The President challenged women to stop waiting for nominations and instead compete for elective posts against their male counterparts.
He said that it was time for women to rise to top elective positions saying that they shouldn’t be cowed by competition from men.
“The country is yours, step up and compete with men because you were born with leadership. It’s only that men have instilled you with fear. But this shouldn’t worry you anymore because you are actually more in numbers across the country,” he said.
The President promised to assist more women to clinch elective seats in the next general elections saying that he won’t be seeking votes again.
“You’re the one who voted me in massively and now that I won’t be seeking for your votes again, I will be helping you clinch elective positions in the country,’ Uhuru told Kenyan women.