Ida Odinga, wife to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday led women in issuing conditions on the proposed amendments to the constitution.
She said there should be a 50-50 per cent share in positions between both genders.
Speaking during the International Women’s Day in Angurai, Teso North Sub County, the women said they are no longer interested in the Gender Bill after male Members of Parliament shot it down.
“We don’t want to hear of two-thirds or a third gender rule. What we are demanding now is the share of positions with men on equal basis and no turning back in our pursuit for justice,” said Ida.
Other women who rejected the current gender threshold arrangements include Busia Woman representative Florence Mutua, Nominated Senators Emma Mbura, Rose Nyamunga and East African Legislative Assembly Member Fatuma Gedi.
Ida also said the shooting down of the gender bill due to lack of quorum was a shame. “My MP waived at me and walked out without voting. I have marked him for letting me down.” She said.
Ida thanked Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong for observing the gender rule in his cabinet and urged other Governors across the country to emulate Ojaamong.
Governor Ojaamong said he has been observing gender parity since his tenure as MP when he pushed for the nomination of the first Busia Municipality Mayor and the chair Teso County Council.
“Currently, Busia County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Chief Officer are women. I appointed three women as CEC Members out of 10 in the current cabinet and five chief officers,” Ojaamong said.
Nominated Senator Emma Mbura told fellow women to confine men to only MCAs seats in 2022 elections.
Ida instead told women to go for all seats including those for MCAs, noting that they need to push for motions which can raise residents’ living standards.