Leaders ought to know that the new Constitution advocates gender equity

Posted Tuesday, February 22 2011 at 18:18

Old habits die hard and many of our political leaders are still in the old mind-set.

They have not appreciated that we have a new Constitution that advocates, equity, fairness and justice in all spheres. To them, the old constitution still reigns supreme and it is business as usual.

We must, for example, emphasise gender equity in all areas, including the public offices. This line of thought was taken into consideration by Justice Daniel Musinga when he made his ruling after finding President Kibaki’s nominations unconstitutional.

Gender equity must not only be some rhetoric but must be seen to be practised by the government. Anything contrary to this spirit is retrogressive.

Other African countries are so much ahead of Kenya in regard to women’s participation in public affairs.

Look at Tanzania, or Uganda which has had a female VP, Liberia with a female president, South Africa with a female minister for defence, among others.

Look at Rwanda’s parliament, teaming with women. In the West, women occupy prominent positions — Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton, etc.

Why were our women overlooked in the nominations of AG, CJ, DPP and Controller or Budget?

Is it that no woman qualifies for any of the four positions? Kenyan women are equal to the task both in competence and in character and must be given a chance.

Wasn’t it Prof Wangari Maathai who made our country proud by being named the first African woman Nobel laureate?

Why wasn’t the price awarded to the many Kenyan males who seem to forget that they were born by women?

Mrs Grace Ogot made our country proud by her literacy works.

We also have Justice Joyce Aluoch who trounced renowned male judges from across the world to capture one of the highly coveted positions at the ICC.

Didn’t Prof Maria Nzomo prove herself capable as Kenya’s permanent representative at the United Nations office in Geneva?

When it comes to sober and pragmatic leadership, women have intuition that many males lack.

Just ask any young man who he would prefer to live should God ask him to choose between Mum and Dad.

Kenya should consider a female CJ if we are to strike a balance in our judicial system.

As the two principals meet, they must allow the JSC to advertise the positions and they will be shocked by the number of qualified women short-listed for the four positions.

DAVID SONYE, Nairobi