Ruto's 50 Per Cent Women In Cabinet Promise Begins To Haunt Him

The Kenya Women Leaders Association (KEWOLA) has tasked President William Ruto to ensure that his promise of 50 per cent women in Cabinet is realised.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 4, KEWOLA, led by Chama Cha Mapatano party leader Damaris Too, put the Head of State on the spot regarding the promise he made during his campaigns.

While congratulating him for nominating several women to the Cabinet which he made during his address at State House on Tuesday, September 27, KEWOLA urged Parliament to expedite their approval after vetting in the National Assembly so that they can assume office and serve Kenyans.

Former Taita Taveta gubernatorial candidate, Patience Nyange speaking during a media briefing with KEWOLA on October 4, 2022. /COURTESY

"We want to remind the President that during the elections, he promised that he was going to appoint 50 per cent of his Cabinet to be women.

"We know well that we have able women leaders who are capable of delivering the agenda of your administration if given a chance," stated the association in part.

It further tasked the August House to give priority status the passage of laws that will facilitate the implementation of the Two-Thirds Gender Principle, giving an ultimatum of one year to end a stalemate that was the bone of contention in the previous regime.

KEWOLA additionally urged media houses to be relentless in profiling the inclusion issue and giving attention to all women voices to help ensure that the implementation is achieved.

"We appeal to Parliament to prioritize the passage of an enabling legislation to facilitate the implementation of the Two-Thirds Gender Principle. This has been long overdue and as KEWOLA, we want to see this achieved within a period of one year

"We urge the media to continue profiling this issue of inclusion and giving it the prominence it deserves because we need all voices, energies and perspectives in decision-making for us to be the nation that our forefathers envision where plenty is found within our borders," added the statement.

President Ruto failed in his promise to give women 50 per cent of Cabinet slots, with only seven of them making it to the nominees list and four remaining to fulfil the promise.

They include Susan Wafula (Health), Florence Bore (Labour), Penina Malonza (Tourism), Soipan Tuya (Environment), Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), Rebecca Miano (East Africa Community) and Alice Wahome (Water).

In June, in the run-up to the August polls, Ruto signed a charter with women at Nyayo Stadium, where he promised them 50 per cent of his Cabinet.

President Ruto also pledged to make women equal partners in his government, saying they will be the face of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“I commit that the women will have a 50 per cent access to the Ksh50 billion Hustler Fund without any conditions or interest," he said at the time.

He also committed to putting in place a mechanism to actualize the two-thirds gender rule within three months of the Kenya Kwanza rule.

“On the matter of gender parity, I am committed to the two-thirds gender rule as enshrined in our Constitution. I will work with Parliament to fast-track various legislative proposals and establish a framework that will resolve this matter expeditiously as promised in our manifesto.”

President William Ruto with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and newly appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. /WILLIAM RUTO