MP Peter Kaluma Pushes To Have A Law Allowing Female Employees BreastFeed Their Babies At Their WorkPlaces

A new bill tabled by Peter Kaluma, the MP for Homa Bay Town, aims to permit breastfeeding moms, including ministers, judges, and MPs, to openly breastfeed at work.

In a statement via his official X account on Thursday, October 24, 2024, Kaluma expressed his concerns about current regulations that prevent breastfeeding in settings like Parliament, courtrooms, or cabinet meetings.

“Why don’t our rules allow breastfeeding MPs, Judges, and Ministers to freely breastfeed at the place of work in Parliament, in court, or in Cabinet meetings/office? This takes away from the rights of the child and should stop. I have proposed a law on this, and I hope it is passed,” Kaluma stated.

Why don’t our rules allow breastfeeding MPs, Judges and Ministers to freely breastfeed at the place of work in Parliament, in court or in Cabinet meetings/office?
This takes away from the right of the child and should stop.
I have proposed law on this and I hope it is passed. — Hon. George Peter Kaluma, CBS. MP. (@gpdkaluma) October 24, 2024''

If passed, it will mandate not only support in public institutions like Parliament but also in other workplaces and public areas across the country.

This is not the first time such a proposal has been made in the Kenyan Parliament. The Breastfeeding Mothers Bill, 2024, was sponsored by nominated MP, Sabina Chege earlier in the year.

The bill underwent its First Reading on May 2, 2024, and was referred to the Departmental Committee on Social Protection for further review. The bill aims to create a legal framework to protect the rights of working mothers who need to breastfeed their children.

It calls for employers to provide designated lactation rooms in workplaces and suggests that public spaces such as offices, restaurants, and bathrooms should be equipped with facilities to support breastfeeding and childcare.