Member of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) engaged the Multi Sectoral Working Group and, the Chairperson of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka) on the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya.

Speaking during a meeting in Nakuru County, KEWOPA's Chairperson Hon. Leah Sankaire (Kajiado) expressed concern over the exclusion of the two-thirds gender rule from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and the failure to provide the Multi Sectoral Working Group with a timeline to incorporate their suggestions.

"As women in Kenya, we feel you made it deliberate and technical to dilute the weight of the two-thirds gender rule and that it does not go through," said Hon. Sankaire.

Vice chairperson of the caucus, Hon. Beatrice Elachi (Dagoreti) questioned the disregard of the presidential memorandum on the same.

On her part, Hon. Esther Passaris (Nairobi) highlighted JLAC's obligation, urging the committee to comply with the inclusivity rule so as to ensure gender equity is achieved in legislative representation.

In response to the queries raised, Hon. Murugara defended the decision to relegate the gender rule to an addendum to the NADCO report stating, “An addendum is as good as the report itself.”

He noted that the two-third gender rule was left out of the NADCO report but assigned to the Multi Sectoral Working Group to deal with and submit its findings accordingly.

Hon. Murugara also told the lawmakers through the NADCO report and the status of the two-thirds gender rule, distancing the Committee from reports that it had already agreed on a formula for its implementation.

"We have not agreed on any formula yet. We shall only adopt one out of the three submitted proposals," stated Hon. Murugara.

Acknowledging the role of political good will, the Multi Sectoral Working Group underscored the importance of Parliamentary compliance, warning of potential political ramifications should the parties fail to work together.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Sankaire rallied the women legislators to heed the call and support its implementation, stressing the potential to foster gender inclusivity and creation of opportunities for women in the country.