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{
    "id": 701918,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/701918/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 232,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kang’ata",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1826,
        "legal_name": "Irungu Kang'ata",
        "slug": "irungu-kangata"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I have no problem with the agitation by the women leaders. I would only urge them to become more strategic. I am one of those people who believe in the idea of women empowerment, including representation. The only issue is the strategy that is being employed. If I were in your caucus, one of the things I would be pushing for is not the original idea that we came with here because that idea was about increasing the nominated Members of Parliament. The best case scenario would have been that you push for the division of your position so that, for instance, in one county, you have several women Members of Parliament as opposed to the current situation. In Murang’a County, for example, we have only one representative, and that is Hon. Sabina Chege. I agree it is very unfair, but if you were to push for the division of your seats, that may make sense. The reason most of us do not support the idea of nominated Members of Parliament is, one, it is unfair to come here using a free seat - you all know how painful it is to fight for a political position. Two, you also know that the criteria of nomination is so skewed; it is very unfair. So, the best case scenario would be to push for your positions to be divided so that in Murang’a County, for example, you have about three or more women representatives. If you did that you will also be doing yourself a good service. You all know the problems you encounter in your constituencies. One of the criteria of judging a good leader, based on experience, is how available they are. I find women representatives getting a lot of negative publicity because it is usually impossible for them to be felt in each and every corner of their big counties. So, if you were to come here and push for the division of your seats, it would make sense because you would be representing a smaller unit and you would be felt as opposed to where you represent a huge county and most likely no one feels you. You seem to be holding brief for nominated Members of Parliament. To me, it does not make sense. It is something which is quite elitist. I agree with those people who are saying that this push for increased women representation through nomination is purely a fight for the elite women. It does not resonate with the common woman down there. If you were to push for it to change so that it becomes a fight for an increased representation in your county, it would make sense. You will have what is called “legitimacy”. This is “legitimacy” in the sense that you are in this House through voting. It means you have been voted upon. That makes a lot of sense and that is the only way I can support this idea. I need to be counted as one of those Members of Parliament who are sitting on the fence on this issue. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}