Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1426879,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426879/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 170,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orwoba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "As much as we try to mitigate and find a way that we finally deal with the two- third gender rule, we know that both Houses, the National Assembly and the Senate are guided by Standing Orders. There was an assumption that having a sit-down with both the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate that somehow, we could sneak in the proposals and amendments that we wanted to have to ensure that the two-thirds gender rule is met. Madam Temporary Speaker, our Standing Orders are clear. Once the report was tabled by the committee and the report did not have any matter on the two-thirds gender rule or recommendation, we know that when this Bill comes as a stand-alone Bill, the chances of it passing are nil. This is because of the numbers we have in the National Assembly and the Senate. That is the reality we are in. As a matter of fact, it is imperative that I clear the air as we talk about the NADCO Bills. This is because people are saying that it will still come as a NADCO Bill. No, it will not come as a NADCO Bill, but it will come as a stand-alone Bill. Since it will not be NADCO Bill, the spirit of the House will not be the spirit of bipartisanship which is what is happening with the NADCO Bills. Madam Temporary Speaker, you will note that with the NADCO Bills as much we are both in the Government and opposition, there is an assumption that we have agreed in passing these Bills. As I contribute to this Bill, I am finding out that it was a clear sabotage on the women agenda. As I congratulate the NADCO team, I also have to fault them yet again for letting down the women of Kenya in an opportunity we could have maximized to ensure the representation of the 51 per cent population of Kenya. The two-thirds gender Bill is not part of a NADCO Bill and it will not come as a NADCO Bill. In that essence then, we will continue to fight in every single amendment that comes to this House that there be an intentional approach of ensuring that women and girls are represented. I thank Sen. Wakoli for pointing that section that speaks of not more than two- thirds. I hope that when we pass this Bill, it will be implemented. As you have seen in the past lists of commissioners, the two-thirds gender rule was never met. If it continues like that, then the most important independent body in the industry or field of politics will not have women represented in it. Madam Temporary Speaker, this will contribute in ensuring that we have less and less women being represented in both the National Assembly and the Senate. With those few remarks, I support the Bill. I will be in the House to rally people during the Committee of the Whole so that women are represented in all these single line items in the Bill. I thank you."
}