President William Ruto sent a letter to the two Speakers of Parliament yesterday, a letter that could shape debate and reshape Kenya’s political landscape by 2023.
Dr. Ruto appeared to reach out to the opposition by promising to implement the two-thirds gender rule in Parliament and to create the position of Leader of the Opposition.
In a nine-page memo to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate President Amason Kingi, the President addressed four issues: the gender rule, the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF), the position of the Leader of the Official Opposition, and parliamentary oversight of the Executive.
The memo’s framing promises benefits to several parties, including MPs, by reintroducing the repealed NGCDF into the Constitution; establishing the Senate Oversight Fund; and establishing a Women’s Inclusion and Political Participation Fund.
Apart from retaining the Affirmative Action Fund, the President proposes to taxpayers who will foot the additional billions of shillings to be incurred, the implementation of the elusive gender rule through top-up of 40 more women in the National Assembly and Senate, as is the case in county assemblies.
The President desires a sunset clause for nomination slots.
Attempts to pass the gender law have previously failed in the National Assembly and Senate.
During the 12th Parliament, Chief Justice David Maraga advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the government’s legislative arm for violating the Constitution. Especially the two third gender rule.
