Mbarire leads Women MPs in wearing white scarves in new push for two-third gender rule

There was drama at the National Assembly when female parliamentarians entered the chambers clad in white headscarves to the consternation of their male counterparts.

The female legislators led by National Assembly deputy minority whip Cecily Mbarire called for a hastened process to pass the bill that guarantees gender balance as envisaged in the constitution.

Mbarire, said they were counting on the support of their male colleagues to pass the law.

“We are also telling our male counterparts that we cannot do it on our own hence we need their support,” said Mbarire.

Mbarire noted that the legislation if passed will address issues of marginalization amongst women and youths if implemented.

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) Chairperson Wangui Ngirici called on both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to rally their troops in the house to pass the contentious law.

The lawmakers have vowed to wear white head scarves every Wednesday afternoon until the National Assembly passes the crucial legislation.

Majority leader Aden Duale and Lugari MP Ayub Savula said the headscarves projected a message of intimidation. They challenged the speaker to rule whether they were properly dressed.

“I have been in this House since 2008 and I have never seen what I am seeing today. Is it within the Standing Orders of dress code? It is very intimidating and threatening. This could be a cult or a sect,” said Duale.