On 21 November 2018, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa mounted a public attack on the Two-Thirds Gender Bill, saying he would work to block it in Parliament.
Barasa, who spoke to journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, said the proposal sponsored by Majority Leader Aden Duale would create room for people who had not gone through the usual electoral contest. He argued that the bill did not explain how women would be nominated if it became law.
In remarks quoted by the Star, Barasa used harsh language to describe some of the women he believed would benefit from the proposal, saying: “Some women leaders have also said they will not support a process where the only thing that a slay queen does is take a shower three times in a day, wear a nice cologne, and get some contracts from China to get these plastic sitting allowances so that she can appear before the party leader and get the party nomination.”
He said the bill would reward what he viewed as political laziness, while ignoring women who had worked to build public support. Barasa insisted Parliament should not be enlarged simply to increase numbers, saying the House should only admit people who add value.
“We can’t just fill Parliament with people, but rather people who will add value. We only want women of substance, those respected in this country, and above all, the Wanjikus, Anyagos and Naliakas must be given an opportunity to decide if they want to be represented by them,” he said, adding that the bill was “dead on arrival.”
He also said the proposal would run against efforts to reduce the wage bill because it would add more parliamentary positions. “We cannot reduce the burden of Kenyans by creating more posts,” he said.
Barasa further questioned the place of nominated male MPs, naming Wilson Sossion and Goddrefry Osotsi as examples. He asked what constituencies they represented and said men should campaign and win seats instead of relying on nomination.
The legislator said the only seats that should be reserved were those for persons living with disabilities and young people. He also pointed to the rising number of women in Parliament across successive elections, saying the trend showed voters were increasingly choosing women leaders.
The Two-Thirds Bill needed the support of 233 MPs to pass.
