At least 23 women Members of Parliament have made it to the 12th Parliament, a noteworthy increase from the 11th Parliament, which stood at 16 women MPs.
In this election, women have modified the narrative from getting appointed and nominated to fill basic decorum in Parliament to garnering six more top elective seats of three governors and three senators, besides the 47 slated seats of Women Representatives.
However, despite the historical spectacle made by women in this election, the sobering reality is that, women still fall short of 47 seats to match the required 2/3 of 349 members of parliament, which is 117.
After adding, 47 women representatives, the 23 elected MPs, they amount to only 70 members in Parliament. The remaining score is women who will be nominated by political parties.
According to the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC), 1/3 of women on the party list should be nominated.
Previous parliaments, have never taken an affirmative action to ensure at least 117 women are in Parliament, the subject has always been politically obtuse and have been put under moratorium by sitting members.
Arguably, as much the constitution provides that ‘not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender’ in Article 81(b). The 11th House was yet to pass the 2/3 gender rule, which was hotly debated on, the subject is scheduled to be revisited once the house resumes.
Further, the devolution government has been an epiphany for women, creating more competitive slates. Out of 1450 seats of Members of County Assemblies, women have occupied 96 seats surmounting a totality of 160 seats groped by women so far.
The first 100 days will determine if women will be given more seats through nominations and appointment
