Senator seeks to have marginalized communities included in gender bill

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Kwale, KENYA: Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey has proposed new amendments for the two-thirds gender bill seeking to have inclusivity of all the four marginalized groups as enshrined in the constitution.

The amendment bill which has been tabled in parliament pending approval by Speaker seeks to have the youth, people with disability and marginalized communities included in the gender bill rather than only women.

Speaking to media on Friday during a meeting held at Diani, Kwale county between Senate and Kenya Private Sector Alliance KEPSA, Cherarkey said that he will only support the bill on condition that those amendments are fully implemented.

“I think if we amend this bill will ensure the interests of marginalized groups are taken care of and therefore if the gender bill on women is passed, it will become unconstitutional and open floodgates of legal challenges in courts. Therefore, I will only support the gender bill if these amendments are made effective,” he said.

Cherarkey who is also the chair for Senate committee on legal and justice affairs termed the gender bill as selective and biased since it only focused on women interests and their quest for leadership in government hence making it unpopular.

He dismissed claims that if parliament fails to pass the bill, it will be dissolved hence compelling Kenyans to go for another general election.

“I do not agree with people citing the possibility of a constitutional crisis as well as the dismissal of parliament if the gender bill fails to pass. The law is clear on the creation of transition clauses both in the fourth and fifth schedule of the constitution,” he said.

He stated that new changes been imposed on the gender bill will see that all marginalized groups are well represented in government hence preventing the idea of groups of people going to court to challenge the legality of the gender bill after it has been passed.

“Women and youth want to be given an opportunity in government simply because they are being sidelined. The amendments in the gender bill will address such issues that are likely to arise in future like youth going to court because of selective discrimination which is against the constitution,” he said.

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