Male MPs lose vote on special business fund for men over 35

Male MPs have lost their bid to have the government set up a special enterprise fund for men, similar to those for women and the youth.

Women legislators voted against the proposal when the question on the Motion was put by Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso on Thursday morning.

She was forced to repeat the question when those in support and against appeared to tie in the acclamation vote.

“I will repeat that vote again. Will as many of that opinion say aye…and will as many of the contrary say nay…the nays have it,” Dr Laboso ruled.

Attempts by male MPs to force a division in order to call for a physical vote flopped after only 18 MPs out of the required 21 rose to their feet.

“You have not met the threshold to call for a division. The net effect of the vote is that the Motion is lost,” Dr Laboso told the agitated male MPs as their female counterparts applauded the defeat of the motion.

Gatanga MP Humprey Njuguna sponsored the Motion which would have seen the government create a fund for men aged between 35 to 50 years.

“This House urges the government to create a fund encompassing people of all ages and gender for development of entrepreneurial skills and abilities to wholly address issues of creativity and innovation which are necessary pillars for stimulating economic growth and development,” Mr Njuguna’s Motion read in part.

He argued that various funds have been set up to help women and youths such as the Kazi kwa Vijana programme, Youth Enterprise Fund and Women Enterprise Fund.

He said the new Sh6 billion Uwezo Fund is targeting youths below 35 years and women of all ages.

“Concerned that there is an apparent neglect of men aged 35 years and above, given that entrepreneurship is crucial in the 35 to 50 year age bracket, cognisant of the fact that Kenya is targeted to be an entrepreneurial nation by 2030, this House urges the government to create a fund encompassing people of all ages and gender…” the Motion read.

In debating the Motion last week, the MPs claimed that the various funds created through national government or legislative initiative had discriminated against men, reducing them to helpless bystanders as women and the youths ‘grab’ all the money.

They proposed that men over 35 years access public money through a separate or a joint fund that can be accessed by people of all ages.