The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill which seeks to have more women nominated to Parliament through party lists today got a new lifeline after Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura allowed senators to vote for it once more.
The Bill failed to sail through second reading last year after it could not garner the requisite two thirds majority last year.
Gitura exercising his powers in the standing orders said senators have until February 22nd (next Wednesday) to exercise their last chance to vote for the Bill or else it will be declared lost.
Standing order numbers allows the speaker to use his discretion to allow senators one more chance within five sitting days after it is voted for unsuccessfully.
“Today is the third sitting day so you have until Wednesday the 22 nd to vote,” said Gitura.
However the Bill is likely to run into hurdles after some male senators expressed concerns that their views on possible amendments to the Bill had been ignore.
Boni Khalwale(Kakamenga) claimed urged the speaker to further exercise his powers to allow the sponsor of the Bill to amend some “undesirable clauses.
Omar Hassan (Mombasa) also acknowledged that the few clause may have
led to the failure of the Bill.
Speaking this newspaper Hassan explained that some of his colleagues were uncomfortable about clause 4 of the Bill which sort to make nominees eligible for two terms.
The male Mps accuse the current nominated legislators of hatching a ploy to give themselves another term.
Reacting to the concerns, Sijeny admitted that she was aware of them but quickly dismissed the concerns as excuses.
On her side Beatrice Elachi (nominated ) and majority whip said the concerns were misplaced since all the nominated senators are going to contest for elective seats this coming election.
