By FRED OLUOCH
Never before have Kenyan women been united in the demand for fair representation in parliament than now.

Taking advantage of the forthcoming general elections expected in December, Kenyan women have vowed not to let go the proposal by the government to create 50 special seats for women, who since independence in 1963 have been grossly under-represented in parliament.

Yet this proposal is facing fierce opposition from mainly the male folk, who maintain that women should compete like the rest and should not expect parliamentary seats on a silver platter. Opponents argue that it is better for women to compete among themselves and win on merit rather than waiting to be handpicked.

It is also questionable whether the 50 special seats is adequate to address historical injustices and discrimination against women in politics, while some critics maintain that the government of president Mwai Kibaki is using the proposal as vote-catching gimmick. Critics also argue that the extra seats will be a drain to the exchequer, while most of the previous women representatives have not made a mark in changing the society.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has threatened to go to court should parliament implement the rule which they see as having left out other marginalised groups such as people leaving with disability and the youth. LSK chairman, Okongo’o O’mogeni argues that it is like giving political leaders a “blank cheque” to appoint their relatives and cronies, and which in the long run will not solve the issue of women under representation.

But women politicians led by two ministers, Charity Ngilu (Health) and Martha Karua (Justice and Constitutional Affairs, have vowed to present 1million signature to parliament in support of the proposed 50 special seats.
Despite comprising 52% of the Kenyan population currently standing at 30 million, there are only 18 women MPs (nine elected and nine nominated) in Kenya parliament, translating to a meager 4.3%.

Yet, women form the bulk of registered voters and are the ones who endure all difficulties such as hot sun or heavy rains, to ensure that they cast their ballot. There 13 million registered voters in Kenya.

Over the years, Kenyan women parliamentary and civic aspirants suffer from inadequate resources, insufficient information and discriminatory cultural attitudes and practices that tend to portray women as incapable of being political leaders.

It is no wonder that since independence 44 years ago, only one woman, Mrs Ngilu, has ever dared to contest the presidency. Mrs Ngilu was the fists woman to contest for the presidency in 1997 where she emerged a distant fifth behind former president Daniel Moi, current president Mwai Kibaki, opposition leader Raila Odinga and the late former vice-president, Kijana Wamalwa.

Besides the push for the 50 special seats, there is a concerted campaign to get more women in parliament led by pro-women lobby groups, who are also urging political parties to commit themselves to affirmative action.

While the 18 women representative that came in 2002 was a marked improvement in women representation, it is ironical that Kenya despite being the economic powerhouse of the East African region is grossly lagging behind in regards to women representation.

Other members of the East African Community (EAC) Tanzania has 61 women MPs out of the total 274, Uganda has 75 women MPs out of 304, while the tiny Rwanda leads the region with 49% women representation. So far, Mozambique has the highest level of women representation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pro-women lobby argue that women are likely to push for laws beneficial to families, children and marginalised groups. Critics, that also include women, argue that it is not the numbers but the quality that matter. But Mrs Karua and the Kenyan women are determined to lobby MPs to support the extra seats for women.

Virtually all Kenyan political parties have impressive manifestoes on what they can do for women, but these promises are just on paper and are never translated into action.

A pending Political Parties Bill, has pegged party funding by the government to enhanced participation of women within the party ranks, but there is no guarantee that this bill will be enacted before the elections expected in December.

Kenyan political parties are by and large male-owned and male-dominated, which makes it extremely difficult for women aspirants to get the party tickets. In the meantime, there is no constitutional provision for independent candidates, and thus women aspirants must pursue their political ambitions through political parties.

Out of 160 registered political parties, there are only 7 political parties led by women, but most of them are minor parties that hardly have any impact during elections