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    "id": 476255,
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    "content": "who are still in political distention to a very big extent, with the specific reference to the woman who has been detained because she was running for political office. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, speakers who have talked to this Motion before, with specific reference to the Senate Majority Leader, supported the issue of dialogue. Dialogue was also used by the people of Rwanda and which we, as a nation, have attempted in the past few days, but which flopped because of dissenting opinion from our brothers and sisters. He specifically stated that he encourages dialogue between peers and I agree with him. Nothing could be more true than that. He cited issues that a Senator from the other side should talk to a fellow Senator and parliamentarians should talk to each other. However, having stated that, he failed to then correct himself because when we wanted peers in the persons of the President and the immediate former Prime Minister to also talk, then there was very strong opposition. We should walk the talk and support that process in its entirety. If you allow me, I want to make reference and quote part of the address, which has also been referred to by the hon. Sen. Kajwang about women empowerment. Actually, it states:- “A key priority for Rwanda after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi has been to empower women so that they lead Rwanda through the critical period of reconciliation and transformation. Women empowerment is one of the many lessons Rwanda is carrying to our friends as a reminder that democratic empowerment, inclusion and fair representation have a transforming impact which regional integration cannot ignore, and which the whole world cannot ignore.” Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is very true. Rwanda has walked the talk. Rwanda is standing at 64 per cent in women representation; it is supported by word and deed. They facilitate their women rights from the grassroots level. If this country wants to copy this good example of empowering women, we must start by facilitating them at the grassroots in good time. We must have civic education and give empowerment and training. Political parties must create honest space for women at every level. That is the only way that we can deal with this issue and sort out challenges of nominations. We have very good women in Kenya. However good, eloquent, learned or able, if political parties which are the vehicles through which the same women must move to positions do not support them, then we will have policies that support empowerment of women. Political parties have not put in place adequate structures and are not honest to whatever policies they have included. We may end up having an increased space for nominating women. In some county assemblies, you will find that no woman was elected and no woman was also elected to come to the Senate. This is not because we had scarcity of capable women to run for these seats but, the politics of true inclusion must be exercised by political parties and the Government. With those few remarks, I do not wish to repeat myself but support the address."
}