Kenyan MPs block drive for more women in politics

NAIROBI: Low turnout stopped a vote guaranteeing Kenyan women more seats in parliament, with campaigners saying it was “a dark day” for its citizens.

The Bill would have reserved one in three seats for women but not enough politicians showed up to vote on the controversial issue, with campaigners citing chauvinism.

“A majority of our members of parliament failed to show up and stand up for women,” said Josephine Wambua-Mongare, who chairs the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya, which has petitioned the court over the issue.

“It is unfortunate to see our current leaders defer a priority concern for girls and women in Kenya. It is a dark day for all Kenyans.”

The speaker of Kenya’s National Assembly, Justin Muturi, agreed to a motion by the government to defer the vote since there were only 212 out of a total 349 members present.

For the Bill to pass, 233 members must be present and all must vote in favour.

“Should we proceed to vote and it is discovered we are below the requisite 233 members, we will risk losing the Bill,” Aden Duale,

It is unfortunate to see our current leaders defer a priority concern for girls and women in Kenya. Josephine Wambua-Mongare

leader of the majority and sponsor of the Bill told parliamentarians on Wednesday.

Duale said he hoped to schedule the vote to take place in February, adding this would give supporters more time to lobby members.

Women hold 23% of seats in Kenya’s houses of parliament – on a par with the global average, but lower than east African neighbours Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi.

Kenya’s 2010 constitution states no more than two-thirds of an elected or appointed body can be of one gender, but does not set a mechanism for attaining that goal.