Nairobi, KENYA: Women of Kenya Group has called upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to include not less than 9 women in his cabinet as a way of meeting the 2/3 gender rule as enshrined in the constitution.
The women lashed out on President Uhuru’s first list of cabinet secretaries that failed to include even a single lady among the top 9 preferred.
Speaking to the media while delivering their petition at the Office of the President on Monday, The group leader, Wangeci Washira, said that the principle of not being more than two-thirds of any gender in elective positions which is clear in law and decision by the court has not been adhered to.
“On 5th January 2018, President Kenyatta unveiled nine nominees to the cabinet. All the nine nominees were of the same gender (male). The president, under article 27/8 can form a cabinet with a maximum of 22 cabinet secretaries. Out of the possible 13 positions that remain the president must by law ensure at least 9 go to women in order to meet the not more than two-thirds gender threshold.” Said Wangeci.
Wangeci claimed that for too long, the women of Kenya have been intentionally excluded from the decision-making process, deliberately denied the right to be fully represented in parliament and constantly overlooked with regard to the position of appointment to public office.
“We find it disrespectful to the women of Kenya, that more than 7 years since the promulgation of our constitution, women are still forced to agitate for the right to participate and equitable representation in Parliament and in the executive.” She added.
The group leader was of the view that women in Kenya are now tired of being treated like second-class citizens.
“We will continue to agitate and use all means at our disposal to ensure that our demands are met and that the right to equal political participation and representation is realized at all levels decisions making in Kenya.” Said Wangeci.
This comes even when the president is expected to release the full list of the remaining 13 Cs as well as permanent Secretaries in various ministry positions.
