ODM is planning to have more women elected to Parliament.
Party chairman John Mbadi yesterday told the Star the plan involves changing the nomination rules, including reducing the nomination fees to give women an enhanced leverage.
“There is an ongoing discussion in the party to support women candidates to have them participate fairly in the 2017 elections and many others to come as long as affirmative action remains in force,” the Suba MP said.
The move is part of the requirement by Parliament to comply with the two-thirds gender rule and comes after a bill that sought to address gender disparity was lost in the National Assembly two weeks ago.
The constitution provides that not more than two-thirds of the elective or appointive positions in public agencies should be of the same gender. In complying with the rule, the bill sought to have more women nominated to fill the slots.
However, those who opposed it said that it was unnecessary as it would increase the national wage bill. Mbadi said the ODM National Executive Committee is working to ensure the rules are in place by June.
“Our arrangement is to have women elected in ODM strongholds without sidelining men,” Mbadi said.
