Source: Nairobi Star
THE Kenya Sugar Board is working on modalities of fast tracking reforms to ensure gender balance. Last Week, justices Abida Ali Aroni, Hillary Chemitei and Said Chitembwe sitting at the Kisumu High Court threw out a petition filed by two female farmers last year challenging the constitution of the Kenya Sugar Board which they argued was not gender sensitive.

The farmers, Milka Adhiambo Otieno and Betty Chepchirchir petitioned the court citing electoral malpractices during the Kenya Sugar Board elections and gender imbalance. The judges, however, advised the authorities at the Kenya Sugar Board to ensure that the Sugar Act of 2001 takes into consideration marginalised groups such as women. Yesterday, some board members from Western Kenya said they will lobby for the sugar Act 2001 to incorporate women.

The members from Nyanza, Western and the Rift Valley region including Nicholas Oricho (Muhoroni-Chemelil), Billy Wanjala (Nzoia) Kiptarus Kirior (Soin-Songor) said they will act to ensure the Sugar Act is amended to address gender imbalance. "It is unfortunate that currently there are no special provisions for women in the board and this is what we are committed to change to address gender disparity," Kirior said. He said as a board they are ready to make the desired proposals in order to address the gender issue.

• Kenya