Kenyans have been urged to train their eyes on political parties after the second successful reading of crucial amendments in Parliament.
Speaking in Bomet at Silibwet Stadium Friday, October 18, Nominated MP Halima Mucheke hailed the Representation of Special Interest Groups Laws (Amendment) Bill 2019, saying it shall compel political parties to ensure a compulsory one-third party membership by Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
“All MPs were in support of the Bill, and we must educate the public that soon political parties will no longer hide behind flimsy reasons of not having a one-third representation from the SIGs,” MP Mucheke said during Inua Mama empowerment event.
Some of the components of the Bill that Mucheke supported on the floor of the House include amendment of the IEBC Act, No. 9 of 2011 to define the SIGs to include women, persons with disabilities, youth, ethnic and other minorities, and marginalised communities.
Parliament, as per Article 100 f the constitution, is required to enact legislation to promote representation of the marginalised groups including women persons with disabilities; youth;ethnic and other minorities; and marginalised communities.
In the event the Bill is enacted into law, IEBC will be compelled to ensure there is data on all categories of SIGS.
By the same token, the amendments also seek to ensure the electoral commission regulates the process by which political parties submit their party lists and ensuring the commission’s information is accessible to persons with disabilities.
The MP said the 33% affirmative action ratio was adopted in the Law to enrich political parties and other institutions with skills, knowledge, and talents that are dormant within the SIGs for lack of platform.
“The current status, of disrespecting the third rule robs 46 million Kenyans an opportunity to benefit from the abilities of the SIGs and violates the Constitution.
“We will no longer beg political parties to implement the crucial amendments once passed as the law,” said Mucheke.
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