This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
On May 20, 2020, ODM leader Raila Odinga gave a clear indication that the country will have a referendum before the 2022 elections once the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.
Speaking after meeting women leaders at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi, Mr Odinga revealed that the drafting of the final Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is at an advanced stage.
"The drafting of the final BBI document is at an advanced stage. We want all the issues raised by the women leaders captured in the final report," said Mr Odinga.
The women leaders have been pushing for mechanisms to actualise the two-thirds gender rule in all appointive and elective public bodies as provided for in the Constitution.
Women leaders in attendance included Public Service, Youth and Gender Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia, Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui), woman representatives Florence Mutua (Busia) and Rosa Buyu (Kisumu), Priscilla Nyokabi a commissioner with the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and Public Service Chief Administrative Secretary Rachael Shebesh.
"Women need to be included in decision making as well as protection from gender violence. We want the issues that affect women captured in the document that is being prepared so that there is equality and equity," Prof Kobia said.
