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{
    "id": 1201113,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1201113/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 193,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Veronica Maina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you for this opportunity that I have to comment on the President’s Speech, which was delivered during the opening of the 13th Parliament, on 29th September, 2022. It was in exercise of his constitutional mandate under Article 132(1) of the Constitution of Kenya. During this Address, he noted that the institution of Parliament was affirmed through the reelection of many Members of Parliament (MPs), who were able to come back especially to the National Assembly. A record of 193 Members were able to make it back. This was equally an endorsement by the Kenyan voters, that any leader who was willing to perform to the expectations of wananchi, would find it easy to make their comeback to the National Assembly or Senate. Mr. Deputy, Speaker, Sir, commendably in that Speech, H.E. the President noted that six more women had been re-elected to the National Assembly. This marked a growing manifestation of confidence among Kenyans in women leadership. The increasing number of women in governance and leadership structures in Kenya, means that Kenyans are willing to work and advance towards gender equity and parity in public and private institutions. Much consideration must be given by all institutions in the Republic of Kenya, in the course of recruiting their leadership or workforce, to be more inclusive and allow women to be part of the equation. It is because women make a very good business case any time they are included. There is no way we can talk about sustainable development when over 50 per cent of the population is being left behind. Women have proved that they are equally as good as their male colleagues. We would ask all women who have had ambition to fight for any seats, not to shy away but compete at equal per with our brothers, fathers and sons. The nation has invested a lot of resources in educating the girl child. It beats logic that we invest the same amount of money in educating both the boy and girl child and then when it comes to access to opportunities, we segregate and choose to see one gender as opposed to the other. On a bare minimum, we must continue to equalise the opportunities for both men and women and boys and girls. On several occasions, gender Bills were presented to the National Assembly but all the six were defeated. I believe the 13th Parliament has a great, special opportunity to correct this anomaly. It has to ensure next time gender Bills or any legislation to support"
}