Gender rule debate calls for sobriety

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi sparked a storm when he suggested change or reforms in the way women are allocated seats in Parliament.

Judging from the reports in the media and the numerous debates, the substance was lost a long time ago.

Part of it has been due to the mistrust of the person owning the idea, owing to his (mis)handling of matters in the august House since the Jubilee coalition came to power in 2014.

Looked at deeply, Mr Muturi had a pertinent point that called for an informed and a balanced debate.

I have seen so many arguments in the social media that women should not be given special political treatment, and so on and so forth.

A look at Kenya's and Africa's political landscape reveals women are generally disadvantaged. This is due to culture and the ugly nature of our political conduct.

There is a growing feeling that the performance of women legislators and that of county women representatives has been wanting.

But looking at the current Parliament and the nature of Kenya's politics (where tribe is key over issues), I think it would be generally unfair to condemn women.

In Kenya, toeing the party and regional lines no matter how unreasonable it would be on some issues, reigns supreme over self-consciousness, national good or any such thing. That is the reason you see such political postures and behaviour.

It is the same reason bad laws or unconstitutional ones can still pass in Parliament.

A little study of Kenya's political history will reveal that we have come a long way. But we still have a very fragile democracy encumbered by the culture of exploiting tribes and endemic poverty.

In many cases, like shrewd marketers, leaders appeal to deep emotions and buying power.

Therefore, to expect women leaders to perform differently in the current dispensation would be unrealistic. This is after all in an African context where the male child has been placed on the podium over the female in the food chain.

That is why family property and inheritance is still a big headache even in elite families in countries like Kenya.

A little recall will tell you that part of the reason the 2005 referendum was lost by the YES side had to do with missteps in crafting the law. Some of these were on inheritance of property such as land and other messy nuances to do with devolution of the teachers' recruitment and management – quite unacceptable to the teaching fraternity.

The 2010 Constitution has been a bit kind to women as they have inheritance rights and safeguards in sharing of positions, may it be in politics or government. The two-thirds gender rule must remain.

I think the only remaining bit is to strengthen it through built-in mechanisms, such as funding some participatory programmes and structures. We must wake up to the 21st century reality.

You can't ignore anybody and you have to embrace diversity.

But the women also need to raise their game a bit. The public concerns on their law-making and participation in development matters are not entirely unfounded. The view generally is that women are also their worst enemies. They need to change that perception.