Women leaders under the newly created outfit, Embrace Women Building Bridges Kenya, have proposed a series of constitutional changes asking for an equal share of executive slots with their male counterparts.

In the proposed changes submitted to the Building Bridges Taskforce, the women leaders have proposed to have an expanded presidency with a head of state, prime minister and two deputies with at least two of the positions being reserved for women.

“We are not shying away from an expanded presidency. Why? Because when the top is too narrow, we struggle because if you are not in the top you think you are not anywhere,” said Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay women representative.

The leaders have also proposed that all candidates vying for gubernatorial positions in 2022 to nominate running mates from the opposite gender and are also demanding that the two-thirds principle applied in all presidential appointments.

The latest move by the women leaders to push for a 50:50 representation appears to be a change of tact in the quest for pushing for more gender-inclusive leadership after efforts to push the two-thirds gender Bill failed in November last year.

“We have put too much effort, but if that rule appears to be difficult, let’s change the course and I think this is where we begin,” said Gender Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia.

The women leaders recently launched the Embrace Women Building Bridges Kenya initiative, saying its aimed at supporting the handshake deal between president Uhuru Kenyatta and former opposition leader Raila Odinga.