IN SHORT: A graphic claiming that the national dialogue committee recommends a minimum of 18 female governors to meet the two-thirds gender rule is fake. The Star newspaper did not publish such a graphic.
“NADCO proposes a minimum of 18 women governors (TWO-THIRD GENDER RULE),” reads a graphic allegedly published by Kenyan newspaper the Star.
On 8 March 2024, both Kenyan president William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga were individually presented with the report of the national dialogue committee (Nadco).
The committee was formed after a series of protests in 2023 against the high cost of living. The protests turned violent and there were calls for dialogue. The government and opposition agreed to talks and a dialogue committee was formed. The committee met for several months and produced the Nadco report, which was adopted by parliament in February 2024.
The report proposes changes to Kenya's constitution, such as the creation of the positions of prime minister and leader of the opposition. It also suggests reforming the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
A parliamentary committee is considering the report and will decide within 45 days whether a referendum or parliamentary vote is needed to implement the proposals.
The two-thirds gender rule
In Kenya, the two-thirds gender rule is a constitutional provision aimed at promoting gender equality and representation in public institutions. It states that no more than two-thirds of any elected or appointed body should be of the same sex.
The graphic suggests that the report recommends a minimum of 18 female governors to meet the two-thirds gender rule.
Kenya currently has 47 governors, all of whom are elected. One challenge is that only voters have the power to elect these governors, making it difficult to enforce that 18 should be female.
The graphic also appears here, here and here. But did the Star really publish it?
It’s fake, says the newspaper
Using its official X account, the newspaper flagged the graphic as “FAKE”.
“Stay alert and beware of fake news. If it is not on our official pages, it is FAKE! Visit http://the-star.co.ke for real and authentic news,” wrote the Star.
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