A women’s rights group has expressed high hopes of achieving the two-thirds gender rule in the next Parliament.
The Center for Rights Education and Awareness said in a press statement on Monday that this election has seen an increase in women elected to various positions.
“We are seeing more women in gubernatorial, senatorial and parliamentary roles as compared to previous years.
“We remain optimistic that the next administration and Parliament will put in place measures to realise the two-thirds gender rule in all elective and appointive positions of leadership,” they said.
Data from the parliamentary watchdog, Mzalendo Watch, shows that 76 women Members of Parliament stood elected as of August 13, pending results from three counties.
“The number is split between Senate and the National Assembly, 29 MPs, 44 confirmed woman representatives and three senators,” Mzalendo said.
With three more woman representatives, Parliament will have more than 70 women leaders.
Achieving two-thirds will now be up to parliamentary nominations made by party leaders.
Of the 44 confirmed elected woman representatives, 31 are newly elected and only 13 have been able to defend their seats.
A number of women leaders who have received elective seats are beneficiaries of affirmative action seats such as the woman rep position.
Former Nyandarua woman rep Wanjiku Muhia is now the Member of Parliament-elect for Kipipiri constituency.
She was able to trounce Amos Kimunya, the majority leader in the 12th Parliament.
“Former Lamu woman rep Ruweida Obo was elected Lamu East MP, former Kiambu woman rep Gathoni Wamuchomba was elected Githunguri MP and former Kisumu woman rep Rozaah Buyu was elected Kisumu West MP,” Mzalendo said.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action is Homa Bay governor-elect Gladys Wanga, the former Homa Bay woman rep and the first female governor in the Nyanza region.
“Also, four out of the seven female governor-elects sat in the 12th Parliament. One former senator, two former women representatives and one former nominated Member of the National Assembly,” Mzalendo said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
