Kenyans have been shocked by recent horrific rape cases

The motion opens the way for a new Sexual Offences Bill to be introduced.

Njoki Ndung'u, who moved the motion, said two women were raped every hour and said the police were too lax in prosecuting rapists.

"Kenya is becoming a nation of rapists where rapists go scot-free," she said. Some MPs said the motion would prevent Kenya becoming a haven for sex tourism.

The BBC's Gray Phombeah in the capital, Nairobi, says that rape is on the increase in Kenya and that last week, people were shocked to hear about a man who had made his handicapped daughter pregnant.

Aids drugs

Ms Ndung'u, a women's rights lawyer, said that rape was being massively under-reported in Kenya.

She said police records show 2,308 rapes last year, while figures from pressure groups and health centres show almost 16,000.

The Bible says that if any part of the body causes you to sin, it should be removed Charity Ngilu Health minister

She said many rapes were not reported because the offender was a relative or because of a reluctance to relive the experience in court.

Ms Ndung'u also called for anti-Aids drugs to be given to rape victims.

While Ms Ndung'u advocated chemical castration for those convicted of a second sexual offence, others called for physical castration or even stoning to death.

Health Minister Charity Ngilu quoted the Bible to back the call.

"The Bible says that if any part of the body causes you to sin, it should be removed," she said.

The Daily Nation newspaper reports the MPs agreed to speak for five minutes each, instead of the usual 10, so that more people would get the chance to contribute to the passionate debate.