Human rights group have lauded candidates that ensured gender parity by selecting both men and women on their election ticket.
Through a statement, Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton noted that with the deadline for gubernatorial and presidential candidates now officially closed.
“We call on all political parties and aspirants to take decisive steps towards deepening inclusion and diversity across persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
We regrettably note that political party candidates for legislative positions at national and county levels will predictably fall below the two- thirds gender constitutional requirement in Articles 27(8) and 81(b),” read the statement.
They further urged all parties and aspirants and the law enforcement agencies to robustly protect and promote the safety and well-being of all candidates and especially women, persons with disability and ethnic minorities during the upcoming campaigns.
The law allows for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to penalise parties yet to achieve the two-third gender requirement by stopping them from contesting in the 2022 general election.
Some of the political parties that were yet to achieve the gender parity requirement include Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Azimio presidential aspirant Raila Odinga’s ODM.
Other parties yet to abide by the law include Jubilee Party, Amani National Congress, The Service Party, Movement for Growth and Democracy (MDG) party, Narc and Narc Kenya.
