The National Council of Churches of Kenya on Wednesday urged political parties leaders in Kiambu county to support women in elections to achieve the two-third gender rule.
Nairobi region coordinator Phylis Kamau said this will create opportunities for women and help create a level playing field.
“We need political parties to embrace women and support them and not only see them as people who will be nominated,” she said.
Kamau spoke at St Paul Anglican Church, Kiambu.
Among the represented parties were TNA, DP, Narc Kenya, Kenda Party, Mwangaza, Farmers Party and UDF.
The parties unanimously agreed to support women with many saying they already have strategies to include women in elective posts.
TNA Kiambu county coordinator Gladys Chania said proper party polices will help include women and give them the security to vie for seats.
“We, as parties, have agreed to reduce the nomination fees, which the women feel is too high, so we can give women a fair playing ground with the men,” she said.
Chania said TNA will be going around the county educating women on the importance of being involved in politics so they may be prepared during next year’s polls.
DP Kiambu chairman Charles Kabucho said the party already adopted the two-third gender rule and in the previous election sponsored women for various seats.
Other parties said, however, more security should be given to women interested in politics because political intolerance is still witnessed in Kiambu.
