Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
Kenyan women MPs speaking at a Commonwealth parliamentary forum in Cape Town said political violence and intimidation, along with escalating election campaign costs, are barriers that limit women from seeking elective office and sustaining political careers.
The lawmakers, led by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, said attaining the constitutional gender principle will require collaboration among Parliament, the media, civil society, development partners and the public.
Maraga said the challenge arose from “a constitutional demand” found in the transitional provisions of the 2010 Constitution, which gave Parliament five years to operationalise the two-thirds gender principle. This rule bars more than two-thirds of elective or appointive positions from being held by members of the same gender.
In a video seen by Radio Generation, Maraga insisted that gender balance is not just a constitutional requirement but also a key driver of effective leadership.