Kenya Struggles to Achieve Two-Third Gender Principle 14 Years After 2010 Constitution

Despite Kenya marking 14 years since the 2010 constitution was promulgated, attainment of the two-third gender principle as articulated in the constitution has not been achieved according to women-led civil society organisations. Speaking on Friday during a freedom Café organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) dubbed Fast-Tracking the 2/3 Gender Rule, Ann Ireri the Executive Director of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya said that multiple bills have been introduced in Parliament but still the 2/3 gender principle has not been achieved. Professor Nancy Booker the Dean, of Aga Khan Graduate School of Media and Communications (AKU GSMC) emphasised the importance of data to show realities and challenges in achieving the gender principle. “As academic institutions, we are better placed to provide that data that then helps in promoting the decisions but also the policies that should guide the process,” said Booker. Booker also highlighted the need for media engagement training for women aspiring to political office. “We are a school of media and communications, it is also imperative for us to build capacity for journalists and those in media to be able to articulate what those challenges are,” said Booker.