One-third women MPs impractical, says Cabinet

Written By:Margaret Kalekye/PPS,    Posted: Thu, Aug 18, 2011

The cabinet that is rushing to beat the August 27 deadline will meet again this Saturday The cabinet Thursday resolved that it was impossible to achieve the requirement for one third representation in Parliament by either gender. Consequently, the cabinet has decided to set up a task force to prepare a constitution amendment bill to deal with the issue. A cabinet brief from the Presidential Press Service  said  "With regard to the requirement for one third representation in Parliament by either gender, Cabinet decided to set up a task force to prepare a Constitution amendment bill to deal with this important requirement that is technically impossible to achieve under the current stipulation." The constitution stipulates that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. Elections bill The meeting held at State House, Nairobi, also approved for publication and tabling in Parliament the Elections Bill 2011. The Elections Bill will provide the legal framework for the conduct and management of elections and referenda at the county and national levels. It will provide for a mechanism for the realization of political rights and freedom of the citizens as enshrined in article 30 of the constitution. Enactment of the Elections bill also provides the framework for the electoral reform agenda in the country. This includes prescription of procedures for elections, registration of voters, conduct of elections, nomination of representatives of special interest groups at county and national level, recall of M.P.'s, resolution of electoral disputes and vacation of sits for members at county and national level. Food security The ministers also approved the National Food Security and Nutrition Policy.  The policy identifies four key areas to improve food security and nutritional situation among the Kenyan people. The areas to be addressed include: 1.    Food availability and access. 2.    Improved nutrition and basic health 3.    Stability of food access through enough relief and safety nets. 4.    Improved food and nutrition information. The Cabinet meeting also approved the divestiture from holdings held by the Kenya Tourist Development Corporation that is currently reviewing its investment portfolio. This includes: 1.    International Hotels Kenya Limited which owns the Nairobi Hilton Hotel. KTDC has a 40.7% shareholding. 2.    Kenya Hotel Properties which owns the Nairobi Intercontinental Hotel. KTDC has a 33.8% shareholding. 3.    Mountain Lodge Limited in which KTDC holds 39.11% shareholding. Other decisions passed by the cabinet were; 1.    Approval for the hosting of the tripartite COMESA-EAC-SADC and IGAD infrastructure investment conference in Nairobi on the 28th-29th September 2011.The conference aims at providing high level support for the implementation of infrastructure projects across the region. 2.    Approval of the accreditation of the International Fertilizer Center in Kenya. The Cabinet will meet for a third time this Saturday in order to deal with four other bills relating to the constitution to beat the August 27 deadline. This will ensure that Cabinet disposes of bills to Parliament and help in meeting the deadlines set out in the constitution implementation schedule.