Gender rule should not be a new burden to Kenyans, AG Githu Muigai says 7 22 0 0 0 0 29 Attorney-General Githu Muigai. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP Attorney-General Githu Muigai, who says the government would support proposals to keep the number of elected leaders at “reasonable levels”. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP In Summary Prof Muigai: “The numbers should also be reasonable so that the House does not grow disproportionately out of what can be funded by the taxpayers.” He was meeting with women legislators, just under 60 days to the deadline set by the Supreme Court. The law provided in the 2010 Constitution has been controversial, with some leaders arguing that we can implement it gradually. Advertisement By AGGREY MUTAMBO More by this Author Attorney-General Githu Muigai says changes meant to comply with the two-thirds gender rule in the Constitution should not bring a new “burden” to Kenyans. On Tuesday, Prof Muigai said at a media briefing that the government would support proposals to keep the number of elected leaders at “reasonable levels.” “The truth is we are all inspired by good intentions. Where we are deadlocked is on the methodology,” he told reporters in his office before meeting with members of the Gender Commission, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and civil society groups. “The method should be the method that makes the most minimum alterations to the Constitution so that we don’t lose other bargains that are provided for in the Constitution. That will be very sad if it happens. “The numbers should also be reasonable so that the House does not grow disproportionately out of what can be funded by the taxpayers.” Prof Muigai was meeting with the women lawmakers just under 60 days to the deadline set by the Supreme Court to implement the constitutional requirement that no more than two-thirds of elected leaders should be of the same gender. CONTROVERSIAL LAW The provision enshrined in the 2010 Constitution has been controversial, with some leaders arguing that we can implement it gradually. In the 2013 General Election, fewer women were elected to Parliament and their number could not reach a third of the 349 MPs, even with nominations. In 2012, the State Law Office sought the guidance of the Supreme Court, which ruled that statutes be in place by the end of August this year. The Gender Commission led a team that recommended a number of ways to deal with the issue, although they did not fix a number on the changes. Currently, four different MPs have come up with various proposals, which include electing two county MPs, compelling parties to nominate women candidates and increasing the number of elective posts.

Attorney-General Githu Muigai, who says the government would support proposals to keep the number of elected leaders at “reasonable levels”. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Prof Muigai: “The numbers should also be reasonable so that the House does not grow disproportionately out of what can be funded by the taxpayers.”
• He was meeting with women legislators, just under 60 days to the deadline set by the Supreme Court.
• The law provided in the 2010 Constitution has been controversial, with some leaders arguing that we can implement it gradually.

By AGGREY MUTAMBO
More by this Author

Attorney-General Githu Muigai says changes meant to comply with the two-thirds gender rule in the Constitution should not bring a new “burden” to Kenyans.

On Tuesday, Prof Muigai said at a media briefing that the government would support proposals to keep the number of elected leaders at “reasonable levels.”

“The truth is we are all inspired by good intentions. Where we are deadlocked is on the methodology,” he told reporters in his office before meeting with members of the Gender Commission, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and civil society groups.

“The method should be the method that makes the most minimum alterations to the Constitution so that we don’t lose other bargains that are provided for in the Constitution. That will be very sad if it happens.

“The numbers should also be reasonable so that the House does not grow disproportionately out of what can be funded by the taxpayers.”

Prof Muigai was meeting with the women lawmakers just under 60 days to the deadline set by the Supreme Court to implement the constitutional requirement that no more than two-thirds of elected leaders should be of the same gender.

CONTROVERSIAL LAW

The provision enshrined in the 2010 Constitution has been controversial, with some leaders arguing that we can implement it gradually.

In the 2013 General Election, fewer women were elected to Parliament and their number could not reach a third of the 349 MPs, even with nominations.

In 2012, the State Law Office sought the guidance of the Supreme Court, which ruled that statutes be in place by the end of August this year.

The Gender Commission led a team that recommended a number of ways to deal with the issue, although they did not fix a number on the changes.

Currently, four different MPs have come up with various proposals, which include electing two county MPs, compelling parties to nominate women candidates and increasing the number of elective posts.