Men's influence in attaining the two-thirds majority rule relating to gender

In Kenya, the path to achieving gender equity has proven to be a challenging one, with the obstacle not lying in legal ambiguity, but rather a lack of political will. This struggle for equality has been evident in the underrepresentation of women in Kenyan politics, despite women making up over half of the population.

Women hold only 23.3% of National Assembly seats, 31.3% in the Senate, and just six out of 47 governor positions. This lack of representation is particularly concerning given that Kenya enshrined the two-thirds gender principle in its constitution in 2010, which requires no more than two-thirds of any elected or appointed body to be of the same gender.

The two-thirds gender principle is not solely about representation, but also about building a just and forward-looking democracy that reflects Kenya's full diversity. Critical mass theory suggests change occurs only when women reach a threshold, often one-third, allowing them to move from symbolic presence to real influence. Yet, Kenya is yet to reach this critical mass.

The failure to achieve gender equity is not unique to Kenya. The US governor's dismissal of Vice President Kamala Harris, due to her lack of "humility" as a stepmother, reflects a global pattern that reduces women's value to their biological or marital roles.

However, not all is bleak in Kenya. Women have shown resilience, competence, and courage despite systemic exclusion. Prominent male Kenyan politicians, such as former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, have actively supported laws promoting gender equality and contributed to increasing the quota of female members in the National Assembly. Both publicly endorsed the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya's 2010 Constitution.

The Judiciary in Kenya has shown courage in defending the Constitution, but Parliament has not. Ex-Chief Justice David Maraga advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve Parliament for failing to enact the gender rule in 2020. This advice underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of gender equity in Kenya.

The question is not Kenyan women's readiness to lead, but whether men who hold power are willing to share it and embrace inclusive leadership. The obstacle to achieving gender equity in Kenya is a lack of political will, not legal ambiguity. The two-thirds gender principle tests whether Kenya will uphold its Constitution and share leadership fairly.

On August 27th, Kenya celebrated the 15th anniversary of this Constitution, yet the promise of gender equity remains unfulfilled. The struggle for gender equity continues, and it is a testament to the resilience of Kenyan women that they continue to push for change in the face of systemic exclusion. The future of gender equity in Kenya lies in the hands of those in power, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the promise of the Constitution is fulfilled.