Some Opposition party leaders dishonest on two-thirds gender rule, says Muturi

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has accused opposition leaders of failing to walk the talk on the two-thirds gender rule.

Mr Muturi accused leaders of opposition political parties that have fewer women in both the National Assembly and Senate of being dishonest when dealing with women representation.

"Some of the political party leaders pointing fingers in the matter of women representation have done nothing to ensure that women are elected during elections. In fact their parties have fewer women in the House because they do not support the agenda of women in the country," he said.

Speaking in Baringo County on Sunday at a ground-breaking ceremony for Uzalendo Academy, a model learning institution established in Eldama Ravine constituency, Muturi said he does not advocate for freebies but for competition and ability to perform.

"We are past the age where political parties simply reward their political cronies by nominating them without undergoing any competitive process," he said, adding that political party leaders should encourage women to contest and win elective posts.

Muturi wondered why women, who are majority in terms of population and constitute a bigger percentage of voters, fail to vote for one of their own during elections.

The Speaker was accompanied by MPs Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Grace Kiptui (Baringo County), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Pricilla Nyokabi (Nyeri County) and Fatuma Ibrahim (Wajir County).

"Women should move the debate about equal representation from hotels and conference halls and take it to the grassroots and educate their own on the importance of voting for women in competitive elections," Muturi said.

He maintained that he still supports proposals that women battle it out competitively and later have those garnering most votes nominated to Parliament.

He said women must not be contented with the 47 seats set aside for them in the Constitution but fight it out with men for other positions for the country to realise the two thirds gender rule.