Embrace Team yesterday called on Kenyans to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report when it is made public.
In a rally at Musila Gardens in Mwingi, Kitui County, the women leaders said the BBI report is a product of views of all Kenyans and from presentations made to the committee, rights of women and unity of Kenyans were key.
“We are very sure the BBI team captured the views of all Kenyans and we have no reason not to support it when it is made public,” said Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu who hosted the rally.
Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga said women are behind President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s effort to unite the country.
Wanga said the country has, since the ‘handshake’, witnessed an even distribution of development projects and BBI contents will further improve the gains.
“We support the BBI and the upcoming comprehensive report on the nine-point agenda agreed upon by the President and the former Prime Minister,” she said.
Siaya Woman Rep Christine Ombaka said their support for the initiative was informed by the fact that it sought to protect the gains ascribed to women in the 2010 Constitution, especially on leadership.
“We are very happy with the BBI because as women we have a voice in that report. As women, we want our place in the country’s leadership to be protected,” Dr Ombaka said.
Punguza mizigo
She said the Punguza Mizigo drive sought to further marginalise women and was self-centered, therefore did not appeal to a majority of Kenyans.
Former Nyeri Woman Rep Priscilla Nyokabi said though the report was yet to be presented to the President, they expect it to protect the gains women enjoy in the Constitution. Nyokabi, who is a commissioner in the National Gender and Equality Commission, said the findings would advance women representation in public positions.
“We expect the report to adequately protect the gains for women in the 2010 Constitution like the two-thirds gender principle. We expect it to advance women representation by providing for 50:50 chance in appointive positions across board,” she said.
“If the President is male, the running mate should be female and so are the positions of PM, DPMs, governors and deputy governors.” The women leaders said the BBI initiative was geared towards uniting the country and expanding leadership space at the national level to include all communities.
They said those opposed to the BBI proposals were selfish leaders bent on ensuring the country’s top leadership was only a preserve of select communities.
They said the BBI advocated for inclusivity and sought to ward off electoral violence as has been witnessed in the past, following disputed presidential elections.
The leaders said every effort needed to be made towards creating a united and peaceful country.
Sound leadership
The women leaders also expressed their support for the ‘handshake’ between President Kenyatta and Raila, noting the arrangement also created space for Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila’s running mate in the last presidential poll.
“It will no longer matter what political parties Kenyans subscribe to. The BBI proposals cater for all Kenyans. We must embrace one another for sound leadership and real development to be realised in the country,” Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh.
The women said if the BBI proposals are implemented, true women empowerment will be achieved as well as creation of jobs and opportunities for the country’s youth.
“We are consciously supporting the BBI. It caters for women and youth who make up the larger part of the population. It also seeks to unite the country and cure past political wounds,” said Kiambu Woman Rep Gathoni Wamuchomba.
