Kenya:Make room for more women and marginalised groups, Uhuru urges counties

The national government, the Head of State said, has conformed to the rule.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged county governments to do more in ensuring women and other marginalised groups get full representation.

Mr Kenyatta underscored the need for women to be in leadership positions to conform to the two-thirds gender rule.

The national government, the Head of State said, has conformed to the rule.

“Of the 1,450 ward members of county assemblies across the country, [there are] 1,370 men (95 per cent) and 80 women.

We had to add 572 women from party lists to ensure compliance with the two-thirds gender rule. Representatives of other groups brought the total of MCAs to 2,222.

“Lest we forget, Kenyans did not elect a single woman governor, and, of the members of the county executive committees, slightly more than two-thirds are men.

“We need to be frank. All of us need to do more to make room for women in leadership,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

DEVOLUTION A SUCCESS

He said his administration has played its part in making devolution a success in the country.

This is through giving money and expert staff and close consultations with counties.

“But we must be frank, the county governments must work with us if devolution is to succeed. And we must be even franker, corruption, waste, mismanagement and infighting are direct threats to the viability of devolution,” he said.

The president noted with concern that counties will have some of the “fiercest political contests” as the country approaches the next elections.

Governors and those seeking elective positions, he said, should promote and preach peace.

“I want to make myself perfectly clear, my deputy and I swore that never again would another Kenyan lose his life or his property in the heat of political contest.

“That is our pledge to Kenyans, and especially to those who have suffered in the past.

“It is your duty to join us in keeping the peace. Let Kenyans choose their leaders without strife, without hatred, or anger. Let us choose our leaders in peace,” the President said.