The Council of Governors has proposed a constitutional amendment that would see future presidential candidates forced to pick running mates of the opposite gender.
In their proposals before the National Dialogue Committee, the governors want the proposal adopted to ensure gender equality in the national executive arm of government.
Whilst maintaining that gender parity as envisaged in the constitution is yet to be achieved, the governors pushed for the amendment to article 148 of the constitution to suffice the inequality.
“We propose the amendment of article 148 (2) to provide that each candidate in a presidential election shall nominate a person of the opposite gender who is qualified for nomination for election as president, as the candidate for Deputy President,” the proposal read in part.
Should this proposal sail through and adopted before 2027 polls, then President William Ruto would be compelled to drop Gachagua as his running mate.
In addition, the governors proposed the creation of a new position of Deputy Cabinet Secretary to ensure parity in the cabinet.
Each CS position in government ministries, the proposal notes, should have a deputy of the opposite gender to enhance equality.
The proposal will also affect other positions including those of principal secretaries, high commissioners appointed to head Kenyan missions abroad and other government appointments.
As per the proposal, each of the 47 counties should be represented in government by either a cabinet secretary, a deputy CS or principal secretary.
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In addition, the governors proposed that gubernatorial candidates in future elections to be compelled to pick their deputies from the opposite gender.
Governors Propose Changes in Parliament
Further, the CoG proposed the adoption of a new system of representation in parliament.
For the parliament leadership, the proposal wants the Speakers and their deputies to be of different genders.
Moreover, the council vouched for the adoption of a system named mixed member proportional representation (MMPR) which would see several seats allocated for various constituencies in Kenya and some reserved for political parties.
If adopted, this proposal will see constituencies in Kenya reduced by 50%, to give room for the members representing parties.
Members representing parties, accounting for half of the total members, will be picked on 50:50 gender representation to further ensure parity in the legislature.
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If the proposal sails through, political parties will be required to present a list of the would-be nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before the election date.
Subsequently, the number of party representatives to be allocated to the parties will be determined through the number of elected leaders garnered.
The proposal adds to the already tabled proposals recommending significant changes to the constitution.
Members of the National Dialogue Committee continued with sessions at Bomas with various Kenyans making submissions.
