Ruto's International Women's Day Goodies: Ksh942M, No Collaterals & Ambassadorial Posts

Ruto first and foremost made a significant appointment in his government in a move aimed at appreciating the role of women in governance; 16 women who will serve in ambassadorial positions.

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Mar 8, 2024 - 16:25
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Ruto's International Women's Day Goodies: Ksh942M, No Collaterals & Ambassadorial Posts
President William Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua with Governors Cecily Mbarire, Anne Waiguru and CS Aisha Jumwa while arriving for the the International Women's Day celebration at the Moi Stadium in Embu on Friday, March 8, 2024. /PCS

President William Ruto on Friday, March 8 announced good tidings for Kenyan women who joined the world in marking International Women's Day.

While addressing a women's conference at Moi Stadium in Embu, Ruto first and foremost made a significant appointment in his government in a move aimed at appreciating the role of women in governance; 16 women who will serve in ambassadorial positions.

10 women will serve as ambassadors while six women were appointed as deputy ambassadors to serve the country on the international stage.

"This morning I have appointed 10 more women as ambassadors in different parts of the world and another six deputy ambassadors in recognition of the contribution of women in the leadership of women," Ruto disclosed, though not revealing the names of the appointees as well as the countries they will serve in.

Ruto affirmed his commitment to ensuring more women come into leadership in the future, adding that the government would amend the constitution to allow for the inclusion of women in governance and enhance gender parity.

He further revealed thatt he had wrtitten a notice to the national assembly to consider amending the law to allow for more women to ascend into leadership positions.

"I want to announce to all women that later today, I will receive a detailed report from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and one of the key issues on the report is the two-third gender rule," Ruto stated.

"We have decided as a party and as a government that the national assembly through the parliamentary group and all the structures that we have will make sure we pass the matter."

Ruto further lauded women cabinet secretaries, noting that they were among the top performers in implementing the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.

While elaborating his sentiments, the head of state noted that crucial government projects were being headed by women, for instance, the affordable housing programme which is led by cabinet secretary, Alice Wahome. 

Aditionally, he vowed to enforce changes to the Women Enterprise Fund so as to support the women who have been active in the uptake of development funds. 

“We have disbursed Ksh942 million to 1.4 million women who are members of 53,000 women groups and are already accessing affordable financial facilities through the women's fund,” Ruto stated. 

The President additionally directed Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aisha Jumwa, who oversees the fund, to implement three changes aimed at enhancing its impact and giving a pedestal to women's needs.

Ruto pledged to scrap the requirement for collateral when borrowing from the Women Enterprise Fund and to further lower the interest rates to six per cent so as to lift the financial burden associated with loan repayment for women beneficiaries.

Also, among the promises was to enhance the money, as the Ministry works on eliminating and structuring the funds to reach more women in the country. 

President Ruto's latest string of announcements comes a day after he hinted at the United Democratic Movement (UDA) party fielding a female running mate in the future, a move likely to mirror that by Azimio la Umoja who fielded Martha Karua to be Raila Odinga's running mate ahead of the 2022 presidential elections.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika leading other women in a dance during the International Women's Day celebration at the Moi Stadium in Embu on Friday, March 8, 2024. /DPPS

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