Yea, that is it. No to that suggestion because it doesn’t really hold any water. There’s no way you can fight discrimination by discriminating. Or, cleanse society from disempowering women and then transferring the syndrome to men.
It’s not fair at all and Kenyans of this generation should not be stumping their feet to scare some of their people into doing things demanded by disgruntled human beings like the civil society or anyone else harbouring vested interests.
The drafters of the constitution had every good intention in trying to promote gender parity especially by ensuring at least a third of women are represented in public offices. It’s a progressive intention but it’s upon the intended group to smart up and promote their abilities without necessarily waiting for any affirmative action. Doing that would legitimize their election and halt Kenyans form adhering to principles fronted by groups only thinking of themselves and how they’ll satisfy the financiers of their drinks.
Women are wonderful leaders, women are beautiful beings, women are nice and women have proved that if given a chance they will perform optimally. Talk of individuals like Martha Karua (though some have reservations about her), Emmy Kosgey (the Kenyan woman who’s flying high on her musical exploits), Catherine Ndereba (the great Kenyan athlete), CEOs-Stella Kilonzo (Capital Markets Authority), and Ms Rita Kavashe (General Motors) and many others. All these women plus many others have worked hard get to where they are now. They are doing well and should have earned their places. Why don’t other women stand up and earn their places as Mps/senators/governors too rather wait to be given?
Women can get what they want. They only need to broadly smile, wear make-up (fitting ones not those River-roadish), be charming and men will surely sing to their tune. They don’t even need to have lots of money like many men.
It is also important to conduct intense campaigns on the importance of voting for a qualified candidate and suppressing alive cultural feelings that dismiss women as non-leaders. It’s important to insist on meritorious fair system that would automatically allow voters cast their ballots without feeling intimidated or their rights infringed by a third figure.
The suggestion that some constituencies be labelled “Women Only”-more like ‘Ladies’ is ill-informed. Unconstitutional and goes against democratic ideals. People should be allowed to freely choose; in fact the constitution is very clear on this. Article 38 (1) says that “Every citizen is free to make political choice.”
Though those arguing that women have to be elevated base their argument on Article 27 (8): “the state shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender” their suggestion totally goes against Article 38 (1).
If women are to be chosen then they have to be in the forefront marketing their abilities, strengths and vigorously fighting with other male contestants. They cannot just sit in some posh office, sip several cups of coffee and expect a senatorial position, governorship or that of Mp to drop in their office
Moral Lesson: “Ask and you’ll be given” Mathew 7:7. May those women who want to be elected tell the electees how fit they are for the various positions.
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