MPs reject one-third gender provision

Written By:Catherine Achieng'a/Carol Kamau,    Posted: Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Debate on the bill continues MPs have rejected the affirmative action provision in the Election Bill as amendments to the Bill kicked off Friday to a rocky start. The rejection of the 1/3 rule for elective posts sparked debate with those opposing its inclusion terming it populist even as those in support argued it would provide the forum for promotion of affirmative action in political parties nominations. Parliament threw out the amendment against the wishes of Kenyans who came out to support the constitutional provision which bars more than two thirds of the members of elective public bodies being from the same gender. According to an opinion poll released Friday by Infotrak,  75% of Kenyans say  they would vote for a woman in elective positions come 2012, while 63% saying they would pick a woman president . According to Kenya Human Rights Commission Executive Director Atsango Chesoni, women continue to be a disadvantaged particularly in politics due to the patriarchal system. Chesoni challenged the country's leadership to begin showing commitment to ensure the gains offered in the constitution are not reversed. The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) had proposed to insert a new clause to make it mandatory for political parties to ensure not more than two thirds of its nominees are of the same gender.  The move caused a section of MPs to call for a division but they could not raise the requisite number with only 15 out of the required 20 MP's rising. The MPs have however endorsed amendment that allows registered voters to use only an Identity card to vote. Debate on the elections bill with 30 proposed amendments continues in the afternoon.  The MPs will be considering an amendment seeking to bar opinion polls nine months to elections and one that allows presidential and deputy presidential candidates to vie for any other elective post. Meanwhile, Parliament approved an amendment shortening the period in which political parties are required to submit their party list to Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from 3 months to one and a half months. Three financial bills were passed and are now awaiting presidential assent. In the speacial sitting on Friday morning, the MPs approved the Contingencies Fund and County Emergency Funds Bill, the National Government Loans Guarantee Bill, the Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill after making several amendments.