The High Court on Friday dismissed a case seeking to have more women considered by political parties to contest elective seats.
In a ruling made by Justice John Mativo, the judge disregarded the suit filed by the National Gender and Equality Commission.
The suit was seeking to force political parties to bring more women on board to ensure gender equality.
[caption caption="File image of Justice John Mativo"]
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In his ruling, Justice Mativo noted that immediately names of those who were vying were gazetted, the court's powers to hear and determine the case was cut off since the notice changes the entire dispute to the Election court.
He further termed the suit as a mere academic exercise.
"In my analysis and the reasons enumerated, the conclusive becomes irresistible that the petition fails," Mativo ruled.
In the petition, the gender group which was representing people with disabilities alleged that prior to the August 2017 general polls, 56 political parties submitted lists to IEBC.
However, upon scrutiny, IEBC found that all the lists did not comply with the gender parity rule.
The commission also claimed that the IEBC violated the law by gazetting the party list and leaving it to political parties to make their own rules.
"Despite raising the concerns, IEBC failed to address them. The allocation formula was illegal and by the time the elections were held, the final list was yet to be published," the gender commission exclaimed.
[caption caption="File image of Kenya National Commission on Human Rights chairperson Kagwiria Mbongori "]
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