President Ruto’s Two-Thirds Gender Rule proposal a golden opportunity to women

By Harrier Chiggai

On December 9 this year, His Excellency President William Ruto sent constitutional review proposals to the National Assembly for consideration. The proposals include the implementation of the Two-Thirds Gender Rule and the Establishment of the Office of the Leader of Official Opposition.

In his letter, to the Speakers of the House, the President proposed a top-up of 40 more women in the National Assembly and the Senate as is the case in county assemblies.

With specific interest in women advocacy matters, we should all share delight in the President’s move to set the ball rolling as the country embarks on what could reshape the leadership and governance terrain.

We all understand that the 2010 Constitution clearly outlines the provisions on the Two-Thirds Gender rule. All efforts towards the full implementation of this rule have not been fruitful due to reluctance and lack of good will from the three arms of government to help realize it.

Now that the head of state has decided to lead from the front,it is now incumbent upon all relevant organs and parliament in particular to move with electric speed in implementing it.Notably,National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has already referred the matter to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

This appears to be the most promising way that will finally be delivered if all political players in the country remain true to their pre-election campaign promises.

The President’s move will also embolden more electoral laws that will ensure more women are purposely included in political leadership right from the point of party nominations. This will further serve as a mechanism of building effective collaborations between the legislature and the judiciary and hopefully this time around, we will experience a better interpretation and implementation of the law.

The proposals are well received across board and for once the country has a president who truly lives up to his word .

In his letter, to the Speakers of the House on Friday, President proposed the implementation of the elusive gender rule through a top-up of around 23 more women in the National Assembly and one more to the senate.

If implemented , the two-thirds gender rule will institutionalize increased participation for women in Kenya. This will support many of our interventions on women’s political rights. We must hope that the new development will help to ensure fairer political representation of women in elected positions after the upcoming elections.

It is also worth noting that Kenya is obligated to move with speed just at its regional partners in the implementation of the Two-Thirds Gender Rule and inclusion of women in Electoral Management Bodies. If the proposals go through, Kenyan women will have the golden opportunity to safeguard and explore their participation in matters of leadership, electoral management and the overall legislative agenda.

As we support the President, let us remember that Women’s equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women’s interests to be taken into account. Without the active participation of women and the incorporation of women’s perspectives at all levels of decision-making, the goals of equality, development, and peace cannot be achieved.

The writer is the Presidential Advisor for Women Rights Agency

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