African Woman and Child Feature Service

Irene Oloo, Executive Director of Kenya League of Women Voters, Hon. Adelina Mwau, Nominated MP and Daisy Amdany of Kenya Women's Political Alliance

In the past fortnight women in Kenya have set up a campaign in support of a Cabinet bill No. 32 that seeks to increase the representation of women in parliament by 50 seats through a Constitutional Amendment. Recalling that previous attempts to pass affirmative action in Parliament have borne no fruits, we believe it is important to support this bill in order to secure a legislative framework that guarantees a women’s quota in Parliament. While we are aware that it will not lead us to the agreed national quota of at least 30%, this means that we are still far short of the African Union recommendation of 50% representation for women.

At least 40 women’s organizations are organized around a National Steering Committee and a National Women’s Negotiating Team for this struggle and also through the Gender and Governance Programme. We have held consultative meetings with women leaders and political party leaders and are in the process of reaching out to wider stakeholders. Recently, we have written to religious leaders asking for support and prayers.

As part of its activities for the second week of August, the National Steering Committee and the National Women’s Negotiating Team invites you to SPARE A DAY IN THIS STRUGGLE and participate at the launch of the one million (1,000,000) signature campaign for fifty seats for women in parliament. The roadshow was flagged off by Mrs Ida Odinga, the Chairperson of the League of Kenya Women Voters at Nyayo Stadium at 9.00 am on Tuesday, 7th August 2007.

The caravan moved in all eight Nairobi constituencies according to the following itinerary:

Nyayo Stadium to Kamukunji Grounds through Mombasa Road and Jogoo Road. From Kamukunji Grounds it moves to Eastleigh, Kariobangi South, Ngara, Kangemi, Uthiru Kawangware and finally Kibera.

It is the women’s hope at the end of the Road Show the members of the public will be convinced to join in the campaign for 1,000,000 signatures to endorse the enactment of the Bill in support of 50 parliamentary seats for women.

More Images from the Road Show

Women Leaders at the Road Show

From Left - Hon. Adelina Mwau , Nominated MP, Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu and Ida Odinga addressing the Road Show